Preemptive evacuation in Bicol, Quezon now ongoing: NDRRMC

Jalad, also said the same measure is also being conducted in Quezon, where “Ulysses” is expected to make landfall. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Ricardo Jalad said preemptive evacuations are taking place in the Bicol Region as Typhoon Ulysses continues to move towards the country’s landmass.

“Meron preemptive evacuation ‘yung mga lugar na (apektado ng bagyo) lalo na dyan sa Bicol Region kasi aware na sila dyan sa (risk) na hindi lang pagbaha kundi (pati) (Preemptive evacuation has been conducted in typhoon-affected areas especially in the Bicol Region because they are aware of the risk, not only flood but also) lahar flow,” Jalad said in an interview with reporters on Wednesday.

This is because the region will be affected by the heavy rains brought by the typhoon.

Jalad, also said the same measure is also being conducted in Quezon, where “Ulysses” is expected to make landfall.

He added that substantial damage is expected from “Ulysses”.

“Sa forecast ng PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), mukhang aabot ng typhoon level ito and then mag-maintain siya at that strength hanggang sa makarating dito sa atin sa Metro Manila, malakas ang pag-uulan although ang forecast for Metro Manila light to moderate but bukas mukhang malakas na yan (Based on PAGASA’s forecast, it is expected to reach typhoon level and would maintain strength until it reaches Metro Manila. There are heavy rains, although the forecast for Metro Manila is light to moderate rains but tomorrow (Thursday), we expect intense rains),” he added.

Also, Jalad said the public should not disregard this warning issued by PAGASA and that they should follow with their local government units (LGUs) to evacuate if necessary.

“Halimbawa sa Marikina, may water level (monitoring) naman dyan along Marikina River at saka meron silang gauge dyan kung kailan dapat mag-evacuate, aware na yung local government unit dito sa (For example, in Marikina, we have water level monitoring along the Marikina River and they also have a gauge on when to evacuate. The local government units are aware here in) Metro Manila,” he added.

Jalad added that military and police units are being used to cascade warnings and advisories to areas where power and communication lines were toppled by Super Typhoon Rolly last week.

“We are cascading our advisories through the communication system of the national government agencies and the uniformed services through their radio communication(s), AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP (Philippine National Police), so that is what we are emphasizing, we need the advisories to reach the villages through the municipal police station, so the police station commanders should inform the mayors of any advisories received through (their) communication(s) system,” he added.