Teodoro orders proactive response to Uwan: Prioritize early evacuation
MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Chair Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. on Saturday urged local governments to conduct preemptive evacuations and take proactive measures as Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong) threatens to bring heavy rains and flooding across wide areas of the country.
In a national broadcast, Teodoro called on governors, mayors, and barangay officials to coordinate closely with municipal disaster risk reduction officers and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“We should prioritize evacuation now rather than rescue later,” he said in a video message posted on the Office of Civil Defense’s Facebook page, emphasizing the need for early action, particularly for the elderly, children, and other vulnerable groups.
He also urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to keep roads and ports clear to allow the smooth movement of emergency vehicles and relief convoys.
“Streets and piers need to be kept free so they can be used as a priority to deliver what our fellow countrymen need to survive,” Teodoro said.
READ: Gov’t on full alert, braces for impact of Typhoon Uwan
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Typhoon Uwan entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday evening and is forecast to make landfall in Northern Luzon by late Sunday or Monday.
Teodoro also noted that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Coast Guard, and Bureau of Fire Protection were coordinating with international partners, including the United States and Japan, to assist in preemptive evacuations, food delivery, and rescue operations.
He said the government’s system for providing assistance—such as food, water, medicine, and rescue—“will be smooth if everyone cooperates.”
Teodoro assured that the OCD, Pagasa, and other agencies would continue issuing real-time updates as the storm approaches. /jpv
