70 families evacuate in Romblon, Palawan due to ‘Agaton’

SAN PEDRO CITY–At least 70 families were evacuated in Romblon and Palawan provinces as tropical depression “Agaton” brings intermittent rain and strong winds Tuesday.

In Romblon, a landslide occurred in Barangay (village) Mabini in San Fernando town, forcing local disaster responders to evacuate nine families.

Harvey Relox, the municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer (DRRMO), said the landslide occurred around 6 a.m.

He said it happened in the same village where a landslide also struck at the height of tropical storm “Urduja” (international name: Kai-Tak), killing an elderly couple.

Relox said the highway remains passable though and they are considering sending the evacuees back home should the weather improve.

San Fernando police chief Sr. Inspector Sandy Facutila said the inclement weather came with strong winds, toppling a Christmas tree display in front of the police station.

In Palawan, Eugene Cabrera, the regional DRRMO in Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan (MIMAROPA), said 61 families were also evacuated Tuesday afternoon in Magsaysay town.

“Many other areas are preparing for evacuation with Agaton expected to make a landfall in the southern part of Puerto Princesa City between 7 to 9 p.m. (Tuesday),” he said in a phone interview.

Regional disaster officials are in Puerto Princesa City with Palawan still reeling from the damage wrought by the previous tropical storm “Vinta” (international name: Tembin). /jpv

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