Forced evacuation ordered in Leon-threatened areas

MANILA, Philippines — Residents living in areas identified as high risk will be under forced and mandatory evacuation, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. ordered yesterday as Severe Tropical Storm Leon continues to gain strength.

In response to the directive, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a memorandum that directed all local government units (LGUs) to comply.

“Local chief executives are urged to execute forced evacuations as necessary, in accordance with Republic Act 10121 and the Local Government Code, ensuring that residents in high-risk areas promptly relocate to designated evacuation centers or safe areas,” Teodoro said.

Upon Teodoro’s directive, the DILG has issued a memorandum to all local government units and DILG regional directors of Regions I, II, V and CAR, and the chiefs of the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection, to implement forced evacuation protocols in anticipation of potential heavy rainfall.

Signal No. 5

The highest wind signal could be hoisted over the next few days as Leon could reach super typhoon category as it makes a close approach over Batanes tomorrow, according to state weather forecasters.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the hoisting of tropical cyclone wind signal No. 5 has not been ruled out as Leon could make landfall over Batanes tomorrow morning or noon. Signal No. 5 will make Leon as powerful as Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Leon, which intensified into a typhoon yesterday at around 11 a.m., was monitored 505 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan as of 4 p.m., carrying maximum sustained winds of 150 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.

Signal no. 2 has been raised over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, the northern and eastern portions of Isabela, Apayao, the northern portion of Kalinga and Ilocos Norte.

Signal No. 1 was hoisted over the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of Abra, Ilocos Sur, La Union, the eastern portion of Nueva Ecija, including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay and the northern portion of Sorsogon.

Leon was forecast to continue rapidly intensifying over the Philippine Sea and could be at super typhoon category during its closest approach to Batanes.

It was moving northwestward and will make landfall along the eastern coast of Taiwan tomorrow afternoon or evening and turn northward toward the East China Sea. It will exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday evening or Friday early morning.

Stormy conditions are already being felt over Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra and Isabela due to Leon.

The typhoon is also bringing rains with gusty winds over the rest of Cagayan Valley, the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Sorsogon.

Metro Manila, the Visayas and the rest of Luzon will see scattered rains due to the trough of Leon. Meanwhile, Mindanao may see cloudy skies with isolated rains due to localized thunderstorms.

Death toll at 125

A total of 125 people were reported dead due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said yesterday.

The number of casualties reported are subject to validation.

In its situation report yesterday, the NDRRMC said 14 deaths have already been validated. The agency said 115 individuals were reported injured and 28 more were reported missing.

The weather disturbance affected 1.79 million families or 7.13 million people in 10,181 barangays nationwide.

Most of the people affected were reported in Bicol with 2,746,214, followed by Central Luzon with 1,056,460 and Calabarzon with 701,985.

The NDRRMC said over 935,000 people have been displaced while damage to agriculture worth P2.8 billion and to infrastructure worth P1.5 billion were reported.

Stranded

There were 224 people stranded in two regions because of Leon as of noon yesterday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported.

Data released by the PCG showed that out of the 224 stranded passengers, truck drivers and cargo helpers, 172 were in six ports in Bicol while 52 were in five ports in southern Tagalog.

The PCG added that there were also 59 rolling cargoes and 11 vessels stranded in these areas, while 13 ships and three motorized boats took shelter as a precaution against possible strong winds and rough seas.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard announced that its BRP Suluan carrying relief goods for the victims of Kristine has arrived in Pasacao Port, Camarines Sur yesterday.

The vessel carried several food packs, sacks of rice, bread and bottled water that were donated by the offices of Sen. Raffy Tulfo, ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, the PCG Auxiliary 126th Squadron, Puregold and Maynilad.

Moratorium

President Marcos yesterday directed the Energy Regulatory Commission to look into a possible moratorium on electricity line disconnections and payment collections in areas under a state of calamity because of the impact of Kristine.

The Presidential Communications Office said the suspension would cover the October to December period and would include flexible payment options.

US assistance

The United States government is providing P84 million ($1.5 million) in humanitarian aid and logistics to support the country’s response to Kristine.

The US embassy in Manila said Tuesday the funding will augment the US Agency for International Development (USAID)’s ongoing efforts to deliver lifesaving assistance.

Through the funding, USAID will provide access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, emergency shelter and cash assistance. The USAID will also provide logistical support in the management of evacuation centers. — Evelyn Macairan, Alexis Romero, Romina Cabrera, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Brix Lelis