MANILA, Philippines — Some 14,000 persons from different parts of the country have been evacuated as heavy rains spawned by the southwest monsoon or “habagat” enhanced by Typhoon Fabian persist, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Saturday.
“As of this morning po, nagkaroon po tayo ng ulat na 14,000 katao na po ang nag-evacuate in view po, bilang pag-iingat sa posibleng pagtaas po ng baha or pag-apaw ng mga ilog sa kanilang communities,” NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said in a televised briefing.
(As of this morning, we have received reports that around 14,000 have already evacuated due to possible floods and overflowing rivers in their communities.)
Timbal said evacuations were carried out in Marikina City, towns of Taytay, San Mateo, Rodriquez in Rizal province, and Occidental Mindoro.
“The Department of Social Welfare and Development Central Office and Field Offices have standby funds amounting to P849.5 million and prepositioned goods amounting to P169.18 million. Also, there are other food and non-food items amounting to P676.5 million,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Saturday in a statement.
“We ask residents of affected areas to remain alert and vigilant, take precautionary measures, and cooperate with their respective local authorities in case of an evacuation,” he added.
The state weather bureau said rains will persist since Typhoon Fabian is still enhanced the southwest monsoon even after exiting the Philippine area of responsibility.