EVACUATION. Some residents of the island village of Mindoro in Bangar, La Union, during the preemptive evacuation on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. A total of 105 families from Bangar town and 18 from San Fabian, Pangasinan, evacuated from their homes as a preemptive measure against the possible damaging effects of Typhoon Marce (international name Yinxing). (Photo courtesy of Bangar LGU FB)
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan — A total of 105 families or 257 individuals in Bangar town, La Union, and 18 families in San Fabian town, Pangasinan, evacuated from their homes Thursday night as a preemptive measure on the possible effects of Typhoon Marce (international name Yinxing).
The La Union Provincial Information Office (PIO) told the Philippine News Agency on Friday that the evacuees, provided with food packs, are from Barangay Mindor, Bangar, and are staying at the town’s covered court.
“The residents evacuated since the area is a small island, and if the river overflows, it will be harder to rescue them, hence the preemptive evacuation,” the PIO said.
READ: Coast Guard evacuates 700 families in Aparri as Marce rages
On the other hand, Pangasinan Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office operations and training head Vincent Chiu said the 18 families from San Fabian would be sent home once the weather permits.
“They were assisted by the local government unit of San Fabian with their needs while at the evacuation center. We continue to monitor,” he said in an interview.
Both provinces are on red alert status, and prepositioned rescuers, vehicles, and equipment are still on standby.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has prepared 28,787 family food packs worth P20.6 million and 14,944 non-food items worth P37.3 million to augment relief operations for Ilocos Region residents affected by Marce.
DSWD data show that of the total prepositioned stockpile, 2,818 family food packs and 11,053 non-food items are in La Union, and 3,864 family food packs and 806 non-food items are in Pangasinan as of Nov. 7.
The northern and central parts of Pangasinan and La Union province are still under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 as of posting time. (PNA)