- The Philippine Ports Authority said disaster-relief cargoes, vehicles and operations will be given priority at ports to provide immediate aid to those affected by Typhoon Odette
- Some ports that shut down operations at the height of the typhoon have resumed operations as of 11am Dec 18
- Operations of Mactan-Cebu International Airport remain suspended
- Surigao Airport’s passenger terminal building totally damaged but its runway is now clear of debris and may still be used for aircraft landings
- The death toll from the most powerful typhoon to hit the country this year has risen to 18 as of Dec 18
- The typhoon is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on the afternoon of Dec 18
Starting today (December 18), ports under the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) will prioritize disaster-relief cargoes, vehicles, and operations to provide immediate aid to those affected by Odette, the most powerful typhoon to hit the country this year.
In a December 18 advisory, PPA said the order is in compliance with the directive of Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade and PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago.
The typhoon, which entered the Philippine area of responsibility on December 14, has shut down numerous ports in the country since December 17.
As of December 18, 11am, PPA said these ports have resumed normal operations:
- Port Management Office (PMO) Bicol- All ports except Port of Legazpi
- PMO Western Leyte/Biliran- All ports except Port of Maasin
- PMO Lanao Del Norte/Iligan- All ports
- PMO Masbate- All ports
- PMO Batangas- All ports
- PMO Marinduque/Quezon- All ports
- PMO Misamis Oriental/Cagayan De Oro- All ports
- PMO Negros Occidental/Bacolod/Banago- All ports
- PMO Panay/Guimaras- Port of Dumangas
- PMO Davao- All ports
- PMO Zamboanga Del Norte- All ports
Meantime, Cebu Port Authority (CPA) has suspended trips from Cebu port. CPA earlier said Cebu port sustained damages and requested the public not to go near the port as authorities are still conducting clearing operations.
The Philippine Coast Guard said that as of 12 pm of December 18, it has monitored a total of 2,327 passengers, drivers, and cargo helpers as well as 1,470 rolling cargoes, 45 vessels and one motorbanca stranded in Bicol, Central Visayas, North Eastern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas and Western Visayas in the wake of Typhoon Odette.
Moreover, 226 vessels and 121 motorbancas have taken shelter as a precautionary measure.
PCG’s Command Center remains on 24/7 monitoring to strictly manage the movement of vessels during the heavy weather.
Operations of Mactan-Cebu International Airport are suspended until further notice. In December 17 advisory released at 10 p.m., MCIA said the airport was undergoing damage assessment and debris cleanup to ensure safety of passengers and staff once operations resume.
All passengers were advised not to proceed to the airport until resumption of flights is announced.
Surigao Airport, meanwhile, is still assessing the damage from the typhoon. Surigao Del Norte first district representative Francisco Jose Matugas II earlier said the airport’s passenger terminal building has been totally damaged but its runway was clear of debris and could still be used for aircraft landings.
Various flights from December 17 to19 were cancelled by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. Ninoy Aquino International Airport authorities said that as of December 18, 37 arrival and 36 departure flights were cancelled due to the typhoon.
The death toll from Typhoon Odette has risen to 18 as of Dec 18 with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management warning of “severe damage” in the hardest-hit areas.
More than 300,000 people fled their homes and beachfront resorts as the typhoon ravaged the southern and central regions of the country, knocking out communications in many areas and toppling concrete power poles.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration on Dec 18 said Typhoon Odette may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility early afternoon of the same date.
