43K families heed evacuation calls as of Saturday morning

MANILA – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said 43,623 families have so far heeded the government's calls for preemptive evacuation with Super Typhoon Pepito (international name Man-yi) expected to make landfall in Catanduanes Saturday night or Sunday morning.

"As of 7 a.m. today, we have received reports that 43,623 families, or 134,653 individuals, agreed to the forced evacuation implemented by the local government units (LGUs) to ensure their safety," OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said during a press briefing.

In addition to preemptive evacuations, Nepomuceno said emergency response assets have been prepared, including family food packs and hygiene kits.

He urged residents in storm surge and landslide-prone areas within the direct path of Pepito to heed the government's call to evacuate.

"It's more dangerous now for those in landslide-prone areas because the ground has been saturated by the consecutive typhoons," Nepomuceno warned.

The OCD chief also noted that the projected peak height of storm surges, reaching two to three meters in low-lying or exposed coastal localities, poses a significant threat.

"We aim for zero casualty with Pepito. We've undergone massive preparations in Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2, (Cagayan), Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions 3 (Central Luzon), 8 (Eastern Visayas), and Calabarzon," Nepomuceno said.

In Manila, Mayor Honey Lacuna ordered the preemptive evacuation of residents from seven high-risk coastal areas: Baseco, Parola 1 and 3, Isla Puting Bato, Sta. Mesa's Barangay 598, and Tondo's Barangay 101, 105, 128.

Billboards were also ordered taken down for public safety while the "Move Manila" carless Sunday along Roxas Boulevard is canceled.

Sunday classes, including National Service Training Program classes and graduate school, in public and private schools are suspended.

The following venues are ready to take in evacuees: Benigno Aquino Elementary School (ES); Corazon Aquino High School, Herminigildo Atienza ES, Rosauro Almario ES, Pedro Guevarra ES and Delpan Evacuation Center

"Zero casualty is our goal during and after (Super) Typhoon Pepito. Including after because of the deadly threat of leptospirosis, dengue and other water-borne diseases," Lacuna said in a news release.

Nepomuceno echoed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to prepare for the worst-case scenario and emphasized the importance of caution in such circumstances.

In a situation briefing Friday, President Marcos highlighted the need for continued coordination with LGUs for updates and public warnings, as well as the identification of appropriate evacuation centers for areas likely to be affected by storm surges and landslides. (PNA)