Half a million people evacuated in Visayas ahead of ‘Ruby’

MANILA, Philippines–Half a million people have been evacuated in Central Philippines in anticipation of Typhoon “Ruby,” Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman said on Friday.

“As of the initial count given by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, which is our partner in coordinating with local governments, more than a hundred thousand families (or about 500,000 persons) are already in evacuation centers,” Soliman said at a press briefing of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Evacuations in Leyte and Samar provinces are still ongoing, said Soliman, who sits as vice chair for disaster response of the NDRRMC.

After the devastation wrought by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” particularly in Eastern Visayas, people now have the initiative to evacuate, Soliman said.

Some provinces on the path of Ruby are still recovering from Yolanda (international name: Haiyan), the strongest storm in the world that struck in 2013.

“Ang feedback sa Region 8, ang mga tao mismo naghahanda at di na kailangan kumbinsihin mga tao … madali na kumbinsihin at alam na nila gagawin nila,” Soliman said.

Although Ruby slightly weakened Friday afternoon, NDRRMC executive director Alexander Pama said they would not lower their guard and would continue with their preparations in local and national levels.

“Gusto natin ilinaw na kahit yun ang unang ulat na nagkaron ng paghina ang hangin hindi ibig sabihin hihina ang kahandaan kung ano alertness natin yun pa rin yun,” Pama said.

The NDRRMC also met with international organizations and the United Nations in order to have coordination during disaster response.

Soliman said the meeting was also an assurance of the international agencies’ willingness to help.

Cebu would also serve as the “one-stop shop” for donations.

“Lahat po ng donasyon ang hub natin ay Cebu airport. Ginawa yan para mabilis makadala via air or sea papunta Eastern Visayas ang atin pong one-stop shop activated this afternoon. Kung meron sila donors na gusto tumulong matapos dumaan si Ruby dapat macoordinate sa Cebu para maayos ang pagpasok at paglabas nang di magkaproblema sa pagbayad ng tax,” Soliman said.

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