OCD Region I orders pre-emptive evacuation in high-risk areas

LAOAG CITY - Authorities in the Ilocos Region (Region I) on Wednesday ordered the pre-emptive evacuation of residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas to minimize the impact of Tropical Storm Kristine. Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region I acting regional director Carmelita Laverinto, in a virtual press conference with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said a total of 227 families, composed of 621 individuals, from Bangar, La Union have been pre-emptively evacuated to Bangar Central School and municipal gymnasium. 'We are advocating for pre-emptive evacuation as early as possible because we can not depend on others because of the wide coverage of the typhoon affecting (the) entire Luzon. We want to save lives in the best way we can so let us be proactive and ensure that those from the vulnerable sector like senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and children are safe in evacuation centers,' she said. Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (PDRRMCs) in the region are also conducting assessments of areas vulnerable to severe flooding and landslide to conduct pre-emptive measures as needed, she added. As of early Wednesday, the the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) identified a total of 1,929 villages in the region prone to landslide and flooding based on 100-millimeter and 150-millimeter rainfall threshold values. These include 13 villages in Ilocos Norte, 47 in Ilocos Sur, 527 in La Union, and 1,342 in Pangasinan. Before the expected landfall of Kristine, which the state weather bureau forecasts to happen over Isabela or northern Aurora on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning, all government offices whose functions involve the delivery of health services, disaster response, and other vital services are on full alert to ensure the preservation of life and property. Meanwhile, Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Director Marie Angela Gopalan said the department's 19 warehouses across the region have prepared 93, 836 family food packs a nd 17,287 non-food items as augmentation to typhoon victims. As of Tuesday, Department of Public Works and Highways regional information officer Jocelyn Oamar reported all national roads in the region remain passable, although there is a temporary closure of the Manila North Road in Pancian, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, being susceptible to landslide. Clearing operation is ongoing. Source: Philippines News Agency