Sudden shift sets frantic evacs
STORMING heaven with prayers is evacuee Teodora Factor, 82, who recites the “Oratio Imperata” at the bishop’s residence in Borongan City, Eastern Samar province. RAFFY LERMA
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar—Government security forces were sent to the northern part of this province on Saturday in a last-minute effort to evacuate all residents of seaside villages as Typhoon “Ruby” (international name: Hagupit) suddenly changed its course and headed toward Dolores town, a coastal municipality about 60 kilometers from this capital city.
“This is our last push. Every person we evacuate is one person less who may become victim of Ruby,” Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said at a meeting of the local disaster risk reduction and management council.
“Let’s not waste our time. Take care and stay safe,” he told the policemen and soldiers tasked to enforce mandatory evacuation in the 22 towns and one city of the province.
Quoting the latest information from the state weather bureau, Roxas said Ruby’s, 18th weather disturbance to hit the country this year, movement was erratic as it went stationary for about six hours before moving toward Eastern Samar.
As of 3 p.m., the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) said 43,132 families, or 199,755 people, were staying in evacuation centers in the province.
Levi Nicart, PDRRMC chief, said all of the residents of coastal villages and flood-prone areas in Eastern Samar had already been taken to safer grounds.
During the meeting, Senior Supt. Alan Cuevillas, Eastern Samar police chief, disclosed that nearly 9,000 people still needed to be evacuated from seaside villages in Dolores town.
This prompted Roxas to momentarily postpone the meeting to allow officials of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army to immediately contact their personnel stationed in Dolores and nearby municipalities.
“We still have two hours of daylight to move. We have to make sure the people who should be evacuated will be evacuated,” he said.
Power went out at around 9 a.m. as heavy rains and howling winds started to pound the city.
Walls of seawater as high as 5 meters were also reported in coastal villages facing the Pacific Ocean.
Roxas, however, said he had yet to receive confirmed reports of storm surge driven by Ruby.
Accompanied by Palace spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and other local officials, Roxas went around Borongan and the nearby town of San Julian to check on the situation in evacuation centers.
Roxas met with Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez and displaced residents staying in Borongan Cathedral.
“We’re all here. We will not leave you,” Roxas assured Varquez.
In San Julian town, Roxas noticed a number of people who were still in their houses along the seashore.
Mayor Exequiel Fritz Aseo of San Julian said some of the residents asked him for permission to return to their homes to cook food for their relatives.
“They were actually taken to the evacuation centers. They just went back because they did not bring their kitchen utensils with them,” Aseo told the Inquirer.
Speaking with reporters, Roxas expressed confidence that the government agencies tasked to respond to disasters were more prepared to face Ruby’s challenge.
He said even the people had become more cautious and were now more cooperative with local authorities after seeing the effects of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) and other powerful typhoons.
“We have seen the deadly effects of negligence and the lack of preparation. But now you can see that the people are more concerned about the preparations,” he said.
“For one, we noticed that people now have satellite phones. The people living in the danger zones readily agreed to be evacuated,” he added.
Relief distribution
Roxas ordered the mayors and other local officials to start the orderly distribution of food packs to displaced residents, saying they should not hoard the relief goods.
“We have a steady supply of food items for the evacuees. More food supplies are waiting to be delivered from Legazpi City, Cebu and Manila,” he said.
Roxas also directed local public works officials to ensure the availability of heavy equipment for clearing operations on main roads in the province.
