LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – At least 400,000 individuals have fled super typhoon “Pepito” in the province of Albay.
FIVE-HUNDRED families from Barangay Maninila, Guinobatan, Albay have fled super typhoon ‘Pepito’ and are staying at the Guinobatan Community College. (Nino N. Luces)
Engr. Dante Baclao, officer-in-charge of the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office, said that at least 80 percent of the total target population vulnerable to strong winds, storm surge, flooding, lahar flow, and landslide have evacuated to safer places.
Baclao said that half or 650,000 of Albay’s total population of 1.3 million at risk from Pepito.
He urged the people to evacuate as the province will follow the "no rescue" principle at the height of Pepito due to the dangers rescuers face.
"Baka kasi ma-miss interpret. Mas mainam na nailikas na ang lahat kaysa magkaroon ng rescue. Delikado rin kasi para sa mga rescuers kung meron man na ire-rescue," Baclao said.
(It is better for people to evacuate than to conduct a resuce that may endanger the life of rescuers)
Business establishments such as malls, stores, fast food, and restaurants in this province have been closed since Saturday morning, Nov. 16.
Police Brig. Gen. Andre P. Dizon, Police Regional Office-5 (Bicol) chief, said that at least 1,600 police personnel have been deployed to provide security and become dedicated standby personnel for rescue operations.
In Guinobatan, Albay, Mayor Chino Garcia said that almost all residents living in Barangays Tandarora and Maninila at the foot of Mayon Volcano have been evacuated.
These residents are at risk for lahar flow since their barangays are situated between large gullies of Mayon Volcano.
"Pinutulan na po natin sila ng kuryente para wala ng rason na mag-stay sila sa mga bahay nila," Garcia said.
(Electricity to their houses have been cut so they won't have any reason to stay)
Evacuees were brought to the Guinobatan Community College in Barangay Mauraro.
Mayor Alfredo Garbin Jr. here has prepared five rubber boats in case of rescue operations amid the province’s "no rescue" principle. These equipment were donated by House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.