From the Inquirer.net .
The timing could not have been more eerie— and the fear was back.
Two years to the day after Tropical Storm “Ondoy” drowned hundreds in a massive flood in Metro Manila, a fiercer storm—Typhoon “Pedring”— on Monday barreled its way into Luzon and pummeled the country’s eastern coast with winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center.
Authorities ordered more than 100,000 people to flee their homes, shut down schools, halted all ferry and fishing boat operations in several provinces, and canceled 39 domestic flights.
Weathermen warned of floods and possible landslides.
Pedring, with winds gusting up to 170 kph, was expected to make landfall in Casiguran, Aurora province, early Tuesday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
If there were no changes in its track, Pedring might also hit Central Luzon, the country’s agricultural basket, and sideswipe densely populated Metro Manila, with its 14 million people.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) sought court permission to roll down billboard tarpaulins across the capital with the approach of Pedring.
In September, the Outdoor Advertisers Association of the Philippines questioned the legality of the MMDA’s drive against billboards and asked a Makati City court to stop the agency from taking down the structures.
“I find it necessary to file the motion to prevent any possible accident or damage that may be brought upon lives and property by falling billboards along the major thoroughfares,” said MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino.
