MOVING TO SAFER GROUNDS. The Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office on Nov. 17, 2024 initiate preemptive evacuations for residents in low-lying and flood-prone villages in the city. As of 2 p.m., a total of 266 families, or 772 individuals, are currently staying in the city’s six evacuation centers. (Photo grabbed from QCDRRMO Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines – The Quezon City government has preemptively evacuated residents in low-lying and flood-prone villages which may be inundated by heavy rains from Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi).
Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QCDRRMO) spokesperson Peachy de Leon, in a radio interview on Sunday, said Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered preemptive evacuations of residents in four barangays (villages).
“Kaninang 8 a.m. merong 44 families na nag-preemptive evacuation na sa Apolonio Samson, meron din sa Barangay Bagong Silangan, meron din sa Barangay Tatalon at Barangay Damayang Lagi,” De Leon said.
(At 8 a.m., some 44 families were preemptively evacuated in Barangay Apolonio Samson. We also have evacuees from Barangays Bagong Silangan, Tatalon, and Damayang Lagi.)
QCDRRMO medics, together with personnel from the city’s urban search and rescue team, the Traffic and Transport Management Department, and the Department of Public Order and Safety, started conducting preemptive evacuations on Saturday evening, ahead of the massive typhoon.
As of 2 p.m. Sunday, a total of 266 families, or 772 individuals were staying in the city’s six evacuation centers.
From District 1, seven families or 14 individuals from Barangay Bagong Pag-asa are staying in Bagong Pag-asa Sports Complex, 115 families or 350 individuals from Barangay Del Monte are staying in San Francisco Elementary School, while 74 families or 200 individuals are in Dalupan Elementary School, while 29 families or 90 individuals from Project 6 are staying in its barangay hall.
From District 2, four families or 11 individuals from Barangay Bagong Silangan evacuated to the Bagong Silangan Evacuation Center.
From District 6, 44 families or 121 individuals from Barangay Apolonio Samsom are staying in its Multipurpose Hall near the health center.
“Sa Tatalon area nung huli nasa knee-deep siya, meron ding area na waist-deep, pero depende sa flow ng ulan, pero ngayon nag preemptive evacuation na dahil merong inaasahan at nag re ready ang Quezon City baka sakaling medyo malakas ang dating ni Pepito ,” De Leon said.
(In Tatalon area last time the flood was knee-deep, but there are also areas under waist-deep, it depends on the flow of rain, but now we have conducted preemptive evacuation as Quezon City prepares in case Pepito brings in heavy rains.)
Aside from evacuating its residents that might be affected, the city’s Search and Rescue, together with the Medical Team and the response clusters from the Engineering Department are on standby to assist residents.
She said the City Health Department has also prepared medicines to be distributed in the various evacuation centers.
De Leon urges residents to keep updated, be vigilant for any eventualities, and follow announcements and instructions from its village officials.
In cases of emergency, residents may call the QC Hotline 122.