MANILA, Philippines - Defense Secretary and National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) chairman Gilbert Teodoro Jr. ordered regional disaster management officials to implement a preemptive evacuation of all residents in low-lying areas and landslide-prone communities in the Visayas and Mindanao where a low-pressure area has brought heavy rains.
“All Regional Disaster Coordinating Councils (RDCCs) in Visayas and Mindanao are under orders to conduct preemptive evacuations of residents living in areas prone to flooding and landslides,” Teodoro said.
Teodoro said that it is better for people to be safe than sorry later, apparently referring to widespread flooding and landslides in Northern Luzon caused by typhoon “Pepeng” last week.
Disaster officials in Northern Luzon had issued warnings, but more than 300 people died and over 90,000 residents are now staying in evacuation centers after Pepeng dumped heavy rains that caused massive floods and landslides.
Pepeng also damaged an estimated P8.139-billion worth of infrastructure and agricultural crops and facilities.
“In evacuation centers we will spend for rice and food, unlike in landslide-prone areas where the lives of citizens are at risk,” Teodoro said.
RDCC teams in the Visayas and Mindanao should immediately evacuate families living in danger zones like riverbanks and mountain slopes.
Teodoro said residents who refuse to evacuate should be reminded of the threats to their lives and the consequences of their stubbornness. – Jaime Laude