BALER, Aurora — At least 151 families or 528 individuals were evacuated in this province as the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) stepped up its disaster preparedness efforts to mitigate the possible adverse effects of Typhoon Ompong.
Based on the bulletin issued by the state weather bureau as of 10 a.m. on Friday, the eye of the typhoon was located at 540 km. east of Baler, Aurora.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Amado Elson A. Egargue said Friday the move is to protect and secure the lives of the people of Aurora.
He said that based on the partial report, a total of 45 families or 155 individuals are now in five evacuation centers located in barangays Zabali, Reserva and Sabang, all in Baler town.
The Baler Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) ordered Thursday the preemptive evacuation of the residents living in high-risk areas in the town.
The PDRRMO head also said that 38 families or 95 individuals are temporarily housed in five evacuation centers located in barangays Mucdol, Diarabasin, Lipit, Gupa and North Poblacion, all in Dipaculao town.
In Dingalan town, he said 68 families or 278 persons were being evacuated in Barangays Ibona, Matawe and Paltic.
Egargue said that preemptive evacuation in the town was ongoing as of press time.
In San Luis town, he said MDRRMO personnel were in an emergency meeting while some local officials began preemptive evacuation.
He added that they were closely monitoring the northern part of Aurora, particularly the towns of Dinalungan, Casiguran and Dilasag.
“Pre-positioning of relief goods in the towns of Dinalungan, Casiguran and Dilasag (DICADI) is already set by the PDRRMC,” he said.
Egargue, meanwhile, reiterated to the public the “No outdoor activities” along the beach and “No sailing and fishing” policies in the whole province of Aurora.
“No drinking of liquor, no sailing policy, no outdoor activities along the beach and no fishing is being implemented and in full effect to avoid casualties, as per the advisory of acting Governor Rommel Rico T. Angara,” Egargue said.
He also advised the residents, especially those near river channels, low-lying areas and mountainous areas to take appropriate actions against possible flooding and landslides, coordinate with the local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue to monitor weather updates. (Jason De Asis/PNA)
