A total of 2,291 families or 7,641 individuals have evacuated as of 5 p.m. on Sunday in Pangasinan after the provincial government, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), mandated forced evacuation amid the threat of super typhoon ‘’Uwan.‘’

"Seventeen LGUs (local government units) conducted the preemptive evacuation. But when we saw that the number is low, our vice governor decided to issue a memorandum for forced evacuation,” Vincent Chiu, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) operations chief, said in an interview on Sunday.

“We helped the DILG and the Philippine National Police to implement the forced evacuation. Now we have 23 LGUs which conducted evacuation and still ongoing."

Based on the memorandum issued by Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino as PDRRMO vice chairperson, those subjected to forced evacuation are families whose houses are on the riverside, coastal areas, or on the slopes of mountains that are landslide-prone or hazard areas.

"Although we understand the situation of our countrymen, sometimes they don't want to be in the evacuation areas. But of course, our priority here is the safety of each individual," Chiu said.

Under the memorandum, local chief executives who will fail to implement forced evacuation order will be answerable under the law, he said.

Meanwhile, Chiu said resources are prepositioned to ensure the safety of the people.

"Our food items, non-food items, rescue personnel, our water assets in the eastern, western, and central parts of the province are ready. Our engineering office is already on standby with all their dump trucks per district for quick response and coordination," he said.

Water search and rescue teams and other rescue personnel and equipment have been deployed in Burgos; Rabon, San Fabian; Malico, San Nicolas; Tayug; and in central Pangasinan together with augmentation from national government agencies.

The Provincial Social Welfare Office ensured there are enough food packs in case LGUs would need augmentation for families in evacuation centers.

Gov. Ramon Guico III suspended classes on all levels in public and private schools, as well as work in government offices, except those in frontline services, on Monday due to possible worse impacts of Uwan. (PNA)

The city government of Dagupan implemented preemptive and forced evacuation as Uwan approached Sunday.

Authorities said evacuation centers are fully prepared and residents in affected barangays were moved to safety.

Pre-emptive and forced evacuations were conducted in flood-prone Barangays Bonuan Binloc, Lasip Chico, Lasip Grande, Pogo Chico, and Calmay.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), barangay officials, police, and rescue teams have been mobilized to assist residents in reaching designated shelters.

The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office, with other concerned agencies, strengthened inter-agency coordination and ensured the province’s readiness in mitigating the possible effects of Uwan.

Police Col. Arbel Mercullo, Pangasinan police chief, discussed preemptive evacuation strategies, deployment of rescue and relief operations, and communications protocols to safeguard the public in a coordination conference.

Mercullo said they are ready to assist in evacuation operations, traffic management, and security maintenance throughout the duration of the typhoon. (Liezle Basa-Inigo)

Central Luzon

The Police Regional Office-Central Luzon (PRO-3) launched intensified disaster response operations as Uwan brought torrential rains and powerful winds across Central Luzon, particularly in Aurora province, where landfall was forecast Sunday night or Monday morning.

PRO-3 Director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr. said units across the region were placed on heightened alert status for evacuation, rescue, and road-clearing operations, according to a news release Sunday.

Earlier in the day, members of the Aurora 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company assisted a resident who fell from the roof of his house in Barangay Zabali in Baler while making repairs in preparation for the typhoon’s impact.

In Bataan and Nueva Ecija, police units helped residents in flood-prone and coastal areas to travel to designated evacuation centers.

Across Central Luzon, 800 evacuation centers were set up, with 48 housing 1,585 families or 5,284 individuals affected by flooding, landslides, and coastal surges as of latest data.

“Our preparedness today defines our ability to protect our people when it matters most. Through coordination, vigilance, and compassion, we ensure that Central Luzon remains resilient in the face of adversity,” Peñones said. (PNA)

About 19,599 families or 63,701 individuals in Region 4-A or the Calabarzon region were evacuated due to Uwan.

Fifty-two stranded passengers at Dalahican Port in Lucena City, Quezon were evacuated by Port Management Office (PMO) and sheltered in an evacuation area assigned by the Lucena City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LCDRRMO) due to Uwan on Sunday.

Authorities assured their safety and were provided basic necessities.

They were on their way to Marinduque province and other island provinces when sea travel was suspended by the Philippine Coast Guard Southern Tagalog. (Danny Estacio)