At least 1,000 families evacuated in Oriental Mindoro

CITY OF CALAPAN –– The Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office of Oriental Mindoro province reported that at least 1,080 families or 3,783 persons were evacuated to 43 centers as of 11 p.m. on Wednesday.

Most of the evacuated families were from the City of Calapan and the northern towns of Pola, Victoria, Naujan, Baco, and San Teodoro, where Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal no. 2 was hoisted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa)on Wednesday due to Typhoon Ulysses.

Preemptive evacuations were also done in coastal and flood-prone areas in the towns of San Teodoro, Victoria, Socorro, Bongabong, and Bulalacao, where flash floods took place amid incessant rain brought on by the typhoon.

In Mansalay town, responders evacuated at least 18 families from the villages of Budburan, Manaul, Teresita, and Don Pedro after floodwater submerged their houses.

In Bulalacao, municipal responders and the Philippine Army conducted rescue operations to evacuate the affected families at 4 p.m. These included 29 families (106 individuals) in Barangay Nasucob, 51 families (185 individuals) in Barangay Bangkal, 51 families (185 individuals) in Barangay Campaasan, 30 families (103 individuals) in Barangay Cambungan.

In Barangay Sta. Isabel of Calapan, at least 234 passengers and 105 vehicles (77 rolling cargoes and three private vehicles) were stranded at the port after the Philippine Coast Guard suspended the departure of all vessels.

Travel to and from the ports of Pinamalayan, Roxas, and Bulalacao towns were also suspended.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office provided meals to the stranded drivers and helpers of cargo trucks.

LZB