PREPARING FOR 'ODETTE'. Mayor Michael Rama speaks with Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office personnel on Monday (Dec. 13, 2021) as the local government prepares for the possible onslaught of "Odette" on Thursday or Friday. Rama ordered the preventive evacuation of residents in coastal barangays and riversides. (Photo courtesy of Cebu City DRRMO) CEBU CITY - Mayor Michael Rama on Monday ordered the evacuation of residents in the riversides and seafront as part of preventive measures as another tropical cyclone approaches -- to be given the local name "Odette" once inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). In a briefing, Rama said he was mobilizing the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) headed by Ramil Ayuman to protect the city from the impact of the weather disturbance that may affect Cebu on Thursday or Friday. "Our weather specialists predict that an impending Tropical Cyclone Odette will cross over Cebu, likely through our city. We may not be able to stop nature, but we can choose to prepare to mitigate its impact on our citizens and save lives. There is no better way but to be laging handa (always prepared)," he said. In its 9 a.m. briefing, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said "Odette" could strengthen into a typhoon. Due to the threat of big waves that may hit the coastal villages, Rama urged residents in Ermita, Pasil, and Suba villages as well as those situated in the riversides of Barangay Kinalumsan and Mahiga, to cooperate with the DRRMO personnel who would be in charge of their evacuation. The mayor also mentioned the mountain barangays here like Buhisan where landslides sometimes occur during heavy downpours. "At least 100 sites in 38 barangays will be closely monitored for flooding, as well as about 50 sites in 11 hinterland barangays for possible landslide, especially that we expect continuous heavy rainfall from late Thursday through Friday," he said. He assured the residents that the DRRMO has coordinated with government agencies tasked with risk reduction and preparedness as well as the military, police, barangay leaders, mayor's liaison officers and responders for the massive typhoon preparation. He said the city is also establishing links with private responders such as the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation and Philippine Red Cross. "To all our constituents, be prepared as well at your respective homes. Have your own family disaster preparedness plan with every member, including your children, aware of what to do and where to go when circumstances happen. Prepare ahead your emergency kit, pack in a bag your basic needs, secure your documents, make sure you save important emergency numbers, and your mobile phones fully charged before the storm would pass. Stock up but do not hoard," Rama said. He also urged city residents to anticipate the disruption of utility services such as electricity and water. Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan, in his speech during Monday's flag-raising ceremony, urged Mactan Island residents to prepare for "Odette". He said their DRRMO is now preparing for the worst impact of the weather disturbance even as he urged his constituents to pray that it would not cause them harm. (PNA) }