Local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila and 23 other provinces should immediately conduct mandatory preemptive evacuation in the low-lying and high-risk areas as tropical storm ‘Pepito’ induced storm surges could reach as “high as five to seven meters,’’ Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ Remulla warned on Saturday, November 16.
Remulla reiterated his instruction to the concerned mayors and punong barangays to prioritize the immediate mandatory preemptive evacuations of communities at risk in storm surge areas.
"Ngayon pa lang ay may pakiusap na kami sa lahat ng coastal barangays sa mga lalawigan na ilisan na ang mga tao sa lugar na mula sampung metro sa dagat. Ang storm surge na posible mangyari ay lagpas bahay ang pasok ng dagat sa baybayin (As early as today, we appeal to all the provincial coastal barangays to evacuate the people whose residence are 10 meters away from the shore. The storm surge coming from the shoreline will possibly reach the height higher than a house),’’ Remulla said.
Remulla issued the directive to local chief executives (LCE) upon the instruction of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. during the November 15 meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) at Camp Aguinaldo.
Based on the latest Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) advisory, Remulla noted the possibility of inundation due to rising sea water with high waves along low-lying coastal communities in some provinces of the country.
He also said residents at risk must be promptly informed of the evacuation plans while
Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees should ensure the safe “transport of evacuees to equipped facilities.’’
Based on the latest PAGASA Storm Surge Warning issued at 2a.m., Remulla stated that there is a high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights exceeding 3.0 m within the next 48 hours over several areas in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, Cavite, Batangas, Marinduque, Masbate, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar and Samar.
“LGUs are also advised to continue monitoring PAGASA advisories,’’ the DILG continued.