By Freddie G. Lazaro

VIGAN CITY (30 October) -- Today, all classes at all levels in the province are suspended due to “Typhoon Paeng” (International Codename: Cimaron) that threatened the provinces of Central and Northern Luzon.

All government employees, except those members of the disaster coordinating council, in the province are not reported to their respective offices to take some precautionary measures on the effect, which might be brought out by the typhoon.

Ilocos Sur’s Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Marino Baytec of the Department of Education (DepEd) said that the order for the suspension of classes for all elementary and secondary schools in the province was in compliance with a memorandum issued by Education Secretary Jesli A. Lapuz concerning to the coming of “Typhoon Paeng.”

“This is to anticipate any accident that might be happened to our pupils and students during the onset of the typhoon,” Baytec said.

President Lauro B. Tacbas of the University of the Northern Philippines (UNP) also issued an order suspending the classes of all levels of the university.

Meanwhile, Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Chavit Singson had alerted the members of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) to take necessary actions to anticipate the bad effect of the typhoon. He also warned the residents near the seashores and mountains to take extra precautions.

Provincial Agriculturist Teofilo Quintal had advised the farmers for safe keeping of their agricultural products.

As of 10:00 am, Ilocos Sur’s PAG –ASA reported that the center of “Typhoon Paeng” was located at the north west of Baguio City or south west of Vigan City going to China Sea. But, Typhoon Signal no. 3 remains in Ilocos Sur.

Earlier, Administrator Glenn J. Rabonza of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) issued severe weather advisory as “Typhoon Paeng” has gained strength near its center. He had advised the PDCCs and LGUs to implement necessary measures to guard against looters of electric posts and cables, telephone cables and similar facilities.

For his part, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye has assured that local governments have been alerted to provide the "first line of disaster response" on the coming of “Typhoon Paeng.”

“The government is "on top of the situation" as another storm threatens to hit Central and Northern Luzon and Metro Manila, barely a month after the devastation of typhoon "Milenyo," he said.