Close to 200 Masbate town residents flee homes

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines — As Typhoon Tisoy threatened Bicol, 46 families — or 185 individuals — were evacuated on Sunday in Mandaon town in Masbate province, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) of Masbate said.

“As of now, the data regarding the evacuation was sent only by one municipality. Other actions are ongoing province-wide,” Gerald Palacio, PDRRMO Masbate-Information Management Section chief, said.

Aside from forced and pre-emptive evacuations, clearing operations, putting up choke points, and cancellation of flights and sea trips and suspension of classes in all levels in private and public schools were also enforced.

Meanwhile, Masbate City DRRMO conducted a predisaster risk reduction assessment last Friday to determine the possible damage that the typhoon might bring.

“Yesterday [Saturday] until today [Sunday], we visited 30 barangays to update them of the position and track of Tisoy,” Alexis Mabini, City DRRMO staff member said.

Format for announcements, or “bandilyo,” was also distributed to the barangays in Masbate City to be used to inform their constituents of the preparations for the typhoon.