Virac diocese calls for donations for Typhoon Pepito victims

The Diocese of Virac, Catanduanes has called for donations following the devastation caused by Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-Yi) in the island province over the weekend. 

“The Island Province of Catanduanes needs your help! Typhoon Pepito has left our kababayans with devastated homes, disrupted livelihoods, and shattered hopes,” the diocese said in a Facebook post.

“We humbly appeal for your generosity and kindness to support them in this difficult time. Every donation, big or small, will make a difference in the lives of every Catandungeño!” it added. 

State weather bureau PAGASA raised Signal No. 5 over Catanduanes and the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, Presentacion) on Saturday as Pepito wreak havoc over parts of Luzon. The tropical cyclone made landfall in the vicinity of Panganiban, Catanduanes at around 9:40 p.m. 

On Monday, several areas in Luzon remain under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Pepito weakened into a severe tropical storm over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, state weather bureau PAGASA said the following areas were under TCWS No.1:

• Ilocos Norte, 
• Ilocos Sur, 
• La Union, 
• the western portion of Pangasinan (Burgos, Dasol, Sual, Mabini, Binmaley, San Fabian, Dagupan City, Lingayen, Labrador, City of Alaminos, Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Agno, Infanta, Bugallon, Mangaldan), and 
• the western portion of Abra (Danglas, Bangued, Langiden, La Paz, Pidigan, San Quintin, San Isidro, Pilar, Peñarrubia, Villaviciosa, Lagayan)

Strong winds from 39 to 61 km/h may be expected in these areas within the next 36 hours. Wind impacts may result in minimal to minor threat to life and property.

The center of Pepito was last spotted 270 km west of Batac, Ilocos Norte, with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 135 km/h. It was moving west northwestward 20 km/h.—AOL, GMA Integrated News