By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Local disaster prevention authorities have ordered the forced evacuation of residents in coastal and flood-prone communities across Siargao Island and nearby provinces as Severe Tropical Storm Tino (Kalmaegi) continues to bring life-threatening storm surge threats to the region.
As of 8:00 a.m. Monday, November 3, 2025, the Department of Science and Technology–PAGASA warned that storm surges exceeding three meters may hit coastal areas in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands within the next 48 hours.
The advisory placed these areas under high risk of inundation due to the combined effects of strong winds and intense rainfall.
General Luna town councilor Bingle Silvosa issued this warning on her social media page as he called on residents to comply with the advisories.
According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of General Luna, Siargao Island, local disaster teams have begun mandatory evacuations in low-lying and coastal villages.
Residents were advised to move to designated safe shelters as all fishing, sea travel, and tourism activities—including island-hopping and surfing—were suspended until further notice.
Authorities reminded residents to prepare Go Bags containing essential items such as food, water, medicines, flashlights, clothes, hygiene kits, and important documents. The public was also urged to secure homes, livestock, and belongings, and to stay away from riverbanks, coastal zones, and steep slopes vulnerable to landslides or flooding.
Tourists staying in beachfront or light-material lodgings were advised to relocate to inland evacuation centers, which can be verified through the official MDRRMO–General Luna Facebook page and local tourism offices.
Officials urged the public to stay tuned for updates from DOST-PAGASA, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office–General Luna, and other official government pages as Tino continues to move across the Caraga Region.
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