THE Philippine government has assured the public that preparations are fully underway as Luzon braces for the impact of Severe Tropical Storm Nika, expected to make landfall in Isabela or Northern Aurora this morning.
During a press briefing, Secretary Jonvic Remulla of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), who also serves as vice chair of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), announced that preemptive evacuations have been advised in 2,500 barangays directly in Nika’s path. All relevant government units are on high alert.
“We’ve advised governors to initiate evacuations in all 2,500 affected barangays, especially those prone to floods and landslides,” Remulla said. “The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has prepositioned food packs and essential supplies, while the five regional airports have been instructed to secure and clear surrounding areas.”
Remulla highlighted that warnings were issued as early as last Friday, emphasizing that the response plan is a 10-day operation, stretching from last Friday to the following Monday, as two additional tropical cyclones, to be named Ofel and Pepito, are expected to follow.
“We are prepared; information dissemination is key,” he said. “The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has pinpointed the barangays most at risk from landslides and flooding, ensuring that the response will be swift.”
According to Remulla, between November 11 and 17, three typhoons are expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) along similar paths. This pattern adds pressure on the disaster response teams, who are still addressing impacts from Tropical Storm Marce, marking four typhoons in a span of just 10 days.
He warned that due to saturated soil, landslide risks are critically high across mountainous areas in Regions 1, 2, and the Cordillera Administrative Region, making preemptive actions essential to protect lives and property.