THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) announced today that more than 40,000 families have heeded evacuation orders as Super Typhoon Pepito approaches Catanduanes, with landfall expected tonight or early tomorrow.
“As of 7 a.m., we have reports of 43,623 families, or 134,653 individuals, agreeing to forced evacuations implemented by local government units (LGUs) to ensure their safety,” said OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno during a press briefing.
Nepomuceno assured the public that extensive preparations are in place, including prepositioned family food packs, hygiene kits, and emergency response assets. “We have 36,694 uniformed personnel on standby for search, rescue, and relief operations, along with 2,299 land vehicles, watercraft, and navy vessels ready for deployment,” he added.
Residents in storm surge and landslide-prone areas have been urged to follow evacuation orders. Nepomuceno emphasized the heightened risk of landslides due to saturated soil from previous typhoons and warned about storm surges that could reach up to three meters in low-lying coastal areas.
Meanwhile, PAGASA senior weather specialist Chris Perez reported flooding in Tiwi, Albay, and highlighted that Pepito is showing signs of being a stronger weather system capable of significant impact on coastal regions.
“We aim for zero casualties with Pepito. Massive preparations have been conducted in Regions 1, 2, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions 3, 4-A, 8, and CALABARZON,” Nepomuceno said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in a situation briefing yesterday, reiterated the importance of preparedness and close coordination with LGUs. He stressed the need for timely updates, public warnings, and the identification of suitable evacuation centers in areas at risk of storm surges and landslides.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging the public to remain vigilant and prioritize safety as the typhoon draws closer.