More than 3,000 barangays in the country were warned that flooding and landslides may occur due to the heavy rains brought about by the storms entering the country, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
According to Joseph Morong’s report in “Saksi” on Thursday, the DENR-MGB said barangays might experience flood water level reaching up to the chest or even beyond the head.
Most of the barangays susceptible to landslides and floodings are in northern Luzon where the soil has already softened because of the recent storms that hit the region.
Data from the DENR-MGB showed that the barangays in the following areas will experience rains in the next five days:
- Batanes – 29/29 (100%)
- Catanduanes – 310/315 (98.41%)
- Nueva Ecija – 825/849 (97.17%)
More than two million residents in the above mentioned areas will be affected.
The government agency suggested to the local government units who are prone to landslides to conduct pre-emptive evacuations.
“Wala po tayo kumbagang enough time para maghanda for landslide. For landslide po, wala pong magsasabi sa atin na babagsak yung slope. Kapag identified po kayo as high to very high susceptible barangay, i-enforce niyo na po yung pre-emptive evacuation.” said DENR-MGB senior geologist Michelle Mendoza.
(We don’t have enough time to prepare for landslides. For landslides, no one could tell us if the slope will erode or not. If your barangay is already identified as high to very high susceptible barangay, please enforce an pre-emptive evacuation.)
Several areas in Luzon and Visayas were told to pre-emptively evacuate their residents as early as Friday following the threats brought by tropical cyclones Ofel and Pepito.
“That would start tomorrow, 15 November 2024 kung saan meron tayong window hanggang Sabado. So starting tomorrow po ang order ng ating Secretary of National Defense na mag-pre-emptive evacuation na,” said OCD Operations Service Director Cesar Idio in a press briefing.
(That would start tomorrow, 15 November 2024 where we will have a window period until Saturday. The Secretary of National Defense ordered the pre-emptive evacuation tomorrow.)
Meanwhile, the Department of Budget and Management approved the release of P875 million to replenish the Quick Response Fund of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“Alam po natin na mahalaga ang papel ng DSWD sa pag-alalay at pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan lalo’t sunud-sunod po ang nangyaring mga kalamidad. Kaya nung nag-request po sila na i-replenish ang kanilang QRF, agad po natin ‘yang tinugunan bilang pagsunod din po sa direktiba ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na siguruhing may nakaantabay tayong pondo para sa anumang sakuna,” said Pangandaman.
(We know the importance of the role of the DSWD in assisting our fellow countrymen’s needs, especially amid the recent calamities. That’s why when they requested a replenishment of their QRF, we immediately acted on it in adherence with the directive of President Bongbong Marcos to ensure we have standby funds to respond to disasters.) — BAP, GMA Integrated News
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