Iloilo City conducts preemptive evacuation in coastal barangays

EVACUATION. Strong winds and waves destroy houses in coastal barangays in Iloilo City on Sunday (July 21, 2024). The city government has ordered the preemptive evacuation of families living in high-risk areas. (Photo courtesy of CDRRMO)

ILOILO CITY — The city government here has enforced preemptive evacuation of communities residing in high risk and those with high exposure to the impact of Tropical Storm Carina.

“During our inspection yesterday, we are expecting more than a thousand houses that will be possibly affected once the northeast monsoon and the peak of the high tide will meet,” Darwin Joemil Papa, Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer IV, said in a press conference on Monday.

READ: Carina to intensify into typhoon within 12 hours – Pagasa

Executive Order No.107 signed by Mayor Jerry Treñas on Sunday evening identified communities in barangays Boulevard, San Juan, and Calumpang in Molo district; Sto. Niño Norte, Sto. Niño Sur and Calaparan in Arevalo; and Ortiz, General Hughes, Maria Clara, and Rizal Ibarra in City Proper, for the preemptive evacuation.

Data from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) showed that as of 9:45 a.m. Monday, at least 15 houses were destroyed by strong winds and 16 others were partially damaged, displacing 38 families of 138 individuals.

The most affected families came from Barangay Boulevard, where 90 individuals were evacuated at the Baluarte Elementary School.

Twelve individuals from Barangay Ortiz and one in Sto. Niño Norte were catered to in their respective barangay halls.

CSDWO head Teresa Gelogo said they have provided food commodities and non-food items to families in evacuation centers. The community kitchen was also activated.

Further, they are preparing the documents to extend financial assistance of P10,000 to families with destroyed houses and P7,000 for partially damaged homes. (PNA)