Cagdianao town in Dinagat Islands implements preemptive evacuation from STS Tino
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Seven barangays in the town of Cagdianao, Province of Dinagat Islands, implemented preemptive evacuation on November 2 to ensure the safety of the residents in coastal and low-lying areas from Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Tino.
As recommended by Cagdianao Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), chaired by Mayor Adolfo Longos during the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment Meeting conducted on the same day, high-risk barangays in the town, such as Mabini, Del Pilar, Nueva Estrella, Laguna, San Jose, Boa and Sta. Rita was mandated to proceed with the preemptive evacuation.
Mayor Longos expressed gratitude for the cooperation of his constituents as residents from identified barangays responded in a timely manner and are now safely staying in the evacuation centers of their respective barangays. “Most of the barangays in the town are facing the Pacific Ocean, so an evacuation plan is significant in our disaster preparedness,” the mayor said.
The local chief executive requested all Kagjawnons to be alert and vigilant. He reminded them to always get accurate information from reliable sources and to be mindful of the emergency hotline numbers of the LGU and of the risk frontline offices.
Also, the MDRRMC recommended forced evacuation across all 14 barangays of the town effective today, Nov. 3, until 8:00 p.m.
For a streamlined implementation of the preemptive evacuation advisory, the municipal government, through its barangay local government units, initially identified 39 evacuation centers and temporary shelters for the locals and protected them from the wrath of STS Tino.
As reported by the LGU, a total of 222 families or 756 individuals from different barangays of the town evacuated from their homes on Nov. 2 and sought temporary shelter in the evacuation centers.
STS Tino, with maximum sustained winds of 89-117 kilometers per hour, is expected to bring strong winds, heavy rain, and the possibility of flooding.
Since Nov. 2, the Dinagat Islands have been placed under Storm Surge Warning #02, issued at 8:00 p.m., with an estimated storm surge height of 2.1-3 meters. The Department of the Interior and Local Government-Central Office Disaster Information Coordinating Center (DILG CODIX) elevated the province to Alert Level Charlie using the Critical Cyclone Track Chart at 11:00 p.m. with heavy to intense rains, and also under Tropical Wind Signal No. 2 by the Tropical Cyclone Bulletin Nr. 3 at 11:00 p.m. issued by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA).
While STS Tino continues to move west-southwestward and is now nearing the typhoon category per Tropical Cyclone Bulletin Nr. 5 dated Nov. 3, 2025, Dinagat Islands has sustained the activation and enforcement of all its public safety protocols in the entire province through Executive Order No. 10-6 dated Nov. 2, 2025. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands)
