MANILA – Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Sunday ordered all local government units threatened by Severe Tropical Storm Nika (international name: Toraji) to implement mandatory evacuation.
He particularly called on LGUs in Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley) and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to evacuate residents from 2, 500 barangays who are living in flood and landslide-prone areas.
The weather bureau has predicted that Nika may develop into a typhoon on Sunday as it may reach its peak intensity before landfall over Isabela or Aurora on Monday morning or early afternoon.
It will continue moving west-northwestward over the West Philippine Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday afternoon or evening.
“We notified all the governors and mayors to advise all 2, 500 barangays that will be affected and where landslides might occur. We advised them to implement mandatory evacuation starting tonight,” Remulla said during a briefing in Camp Aguinaldo.
“We have 16 hours to respond (and) to evacuate. We are prepared on the ground as far as national agencies and first responders are concerned.”
He urged the public to cooperate for their safety.
“But it’s a matter of cooperation ng mga population natin na pag sinabing evacuation seryosohin natin ito dahil ayaw nating mangyari yung nangyari sa Batangas (But it’s a matter of cooperation of our population that when we say evacuation, let’s take it seriously because we don’t want what happened in Batangas to happen),” the DILG chief added.
Asked what to do with residents who do not want to leave their properties despite the call for mandatory evacuation from the government, Remulla said they would do everything to convince them for their safety.
Meanwhile, Remula reported that five roads in CAR are now impassable and personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been deployed to conduct clearing operations.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), on the other hand, has prepared food and non-food supplies to be distributed among affected residents.
Sea travel has been suspended from Bicol region up to Batanes and Babuyan Islands, he added.
“Nakahanda na rin ang air assets natin (Our air assets are ready), sea travel is suspended along the eastern seaboard from the Bicol region up to Batanes to Babuyan Islands wala tayong seacraft na dadaan dun (we have no seacraft that will pass through there),” he said.
Remulla also said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued a directive regarding the gradual release of water from six dams.
“As of this morning, dahan-dahan nag release ng tubig ang ating dams para wala tayong breach ng dam network natin (water in dams were gradually released so that there will no breach in our dam network),” he said.
Office of Civil Defense Director Agnes Palacio, meanwhile, said affected regions in Nika’s projected path should have available data and resources for swift preparedness planning.
Palacio also advised communities in high-risk areas to increase public awareness, directing local authorities to convert critical information into actionable plans.
Among the precautionary measures, officials mandated the suspension of all marine activities in affected regions.
The NDRRMC also urged the public to remain vigilant and follow safety guidance from the OCD, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, and local disaster councils. (With reports from Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)