Paeng displaces thousands in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 1,092 families or 4,737 people fled their homes in Muntinlupa and were evacuated to safer ground due to Severe Tropical Storm Paeng on Saturday. Of the number of evacuees, the city’s Department of Disaster Resilience and Management said 306 families were from Barangay Cupang followed by Barangay Alabang with 230 and Barangay Poblacion with 221 families.

The other evacuees were from Barangays Bayanan, Buli, Putatan, Sucat and Tunasan.

In Manila, over 1,000 families were evacuated at the height of the storm.

In a radio interview yesterday, Princess Abante, spokesperson for the city government, said the evacuees started to go home as the weather improved.

Most of the evacuees are living in the Baseco coastal areas, according to city hall.

In Parañaque, at least 200 families were evacuated as Paeng pummeled Metro Manila.

The residents were brought to 14 evacuation centers in the city.

In Las Piñas, a total of 45 families or 120 people were displaced by the storm.

In Pasig City, 431 families or 1,521 people were brought to 12 evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, the Marikina River’s water level dropped to 15.9 meters yesterday morning, with all eight gates of the Manggahan floodway opened.

Members of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) were alerted amid the onslaught of Paeng.

The NCRPO said over 200 police personnel were deployed in evacuation sites and vital installations in Metro Manila.

Police said they also monitored creeks, dams and rivers. –  Marc Jayson Cayabyab