4,000 families evacuate in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY—More than 4,000 families (16,000 people) were moved to safer grounds after authorities ordered a preemptive evacuation in Bicol as Tropical Depression “Amang” threatened to bring heavy rains on Monday and Tuesday, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol said.

As of 12 noon, the OCD said there were 2,319 families (8,319 persons) evacuated in Albay; and 1,744 families (7,613 persons) in Camarines Sur.

There were also 34 families evacuated in Masbate and 25 families in Sorsogon. Claudio Yucot, director of the OCD in Bicol, said the displaced families were those living in areas vulnerable to flood and landslides.

Classes in all levels in the region were also suspended on Monday until the weather improves, while flights to and from Masbate were also canceled. /lzb