Philippines
Luzon
12,641 affected by 'habagat' in Ilocos Sur; 435 evacuees remain in Vigan
12,641 affected by 'habagat' in Ilocos Sur; 435 evacuees remain in Vigan
VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — At least 12,641 individuals from 4,192 families in 22 cities and municipalities in Ilocos Sur have been affected by the southwest monsoon or “habagat”, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) reported Monday.
The PSWDO said the affected population was recorded in 151 barangays in Vigan and Candon cities and 20 municipalities namely: Alilem, Bantay, Burgos, Caoayan, Cervantes, Narvacan, Quirino, San Ildefonso, San Juan, San Vicente, Santa, Santa Cruz, Santa Lucia, Santa Maria, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Sugpon, Suyo, and Tagudin, as of 5 a.m. on Aug. 10.
A total of 206 families were staying in 21 evacuation centers, while 159 families were temporarily staying outside designated evacuation sites.
As of noon Monday, August 10, however, Vigan City reported 435 evacuees from 11 barangays remaining in evacuation centers as authorities intensified preparations amid rising water levels along the Abra River.
Vigan Acting City Mayor Kisses Marquisse Lim said the city raised its alert status early Monday and immediately began evacuation operations, particularly in communities near the Abra River.
“Vigan City was already under Blue Alert by 6 or 7 in the morning. We swiftly initiated evacuation efforts across all barangays, especially those near the Abra River,” Lim said in an online report by the city government.
The early evacuation efforts prompted residents in low-lying communities to move to safer areas even before the provincial government issued mandatory evacuation orders Sunday afternoon.
Vigan’s San Julian Norte village chief Hipolito Palo said the rising river level required immediate evacuation of vulnerable residents.
“We have always prepared for threats, but today, the rising water level necessitates immediate forced evacuations in vulnerable areas,” Palo said.
One evacuee, Maria Charita Alcain, said she and her family initially hesitated to leave their home but eventually followed the authorities’ advice.
“We did not want to leave at first, but we knew it would be difficult if the water reached our homes,” Alcain said.
The continuous rains also damaged at least 27 houses in the province. One house was totally destroyed in Narvacan, while 26 others were partially damaged in Alilem, Narvacan, San Vicente, Santa Cruz, Santiago, Santo Domingo, and Suyo.
Local governments in Vigan, Burgos, and Santo Domingo have been providing hot meals to evacuees.
Provincial and local disaster risk reduction and management offices continue to monitor the situation and coordinate response operations as Habagat persists.
Authorities urged residents, particularly those in flood-prone and low-lying areas, to monitor official weather advisories, follow evacuation directives, and move immediately to safer areas when ordered.