DOST urges public to ready survival kits for typhoon ‘Ruby’

MANILA — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is advising the public, particularly residents in the projected path of typhoon ‘Ruby,” to pack emergency supplies and secure valuable belongings in their “survival kits”, in preparation for the possible onslaught of the typhoon.

“I cannot overemphasize the fundamental need for us to prepare. We need to prepare the needed supply and important materials before the typhoon strikes,” DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said in a statement Friday.

He explained survival kit materials can be contained in a waterproof bag, carrying food and water provisions for at least three days, pocket knife, first aid kit, matches or lighters, flashlight with extra batteries, cash, extra clothes, a long rope, plus cellphone with e-cards and charger or powerbank.

For important documents, Montejo said it should be sealed in a plastic or waterproof material.

Montejo also advised those staying in fragile housing structures to move to safe shelters as part of the overall preventive evacuation measures now being undertaken in many local communities throughout Eastern Visayas.

Also, he pointed out the need for local leaders to coordinate closely with vital government offices to ensure peace and order as well as continuity of operations before, during and after calamities.

As of 11:00 a.m. Friday (December 5), the eye of Typhoon Ruby was spotted 500 kilometers east of Borongan, Eastern Samar. It packs maximum winds of 215 kilometers per hour (kph) with gustiness up to 250 kph. It is projected to move at a rate of 13 kph towards west northwest.

PUBLIC STORM SIGNAL NO. 2: SORSOGON, TICAO ISLAND, MASBATE, NORTHERN SAMAR, EASTERN SAMAR, SAMAR, LEYTE, SOUTHERN LEYTE, NORTHERN CEBU INCLUDING CEBU CITY, BANTAYAN ISLAND AND CAMOTES ISLAND.

PUBLIC STORM SIGNAL NO. 1: CATANDUANES, ALBAY, CAMARINES NORTE, CAMARINES SUR, BURIAS ISLAND, ROMBLON, CAPIZ, ILOILO, ANTIQUE, AKLAN, NEGROS ORIENTAL, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, BOHOL, SIQUIJOR AND THE REST OF CEBU.