Mindanao execs order residents in hazard-prone areas to evacuate

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur–Residents living in low-lying and landslide-prone areas were told to evacuate Monday as preemptive measure with the expected landfall of typhoon “Pablo.”

Governor Adolf Edward Plaza issued a memorandum to the 14 town mayors of the province to designate evacuation centers for the residents that would be affected by the floods.

The province and neighboring provinces of Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat, Siargao, Agusan del Norte and Davao Oriental have been placed under Storm Signal Number 3 as of 11 a.m. Monday by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Roberto Natividad, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council coordinator, said all the local disaster response teams have been activated and alerted to closely monitor hazard prone-areas in the path of Pablo, which areas prone to risks that might occur when the heavy rain comes.

Classes were suspended in this town Monday noon.