By Ruben A. Veloria
ZAMBALES, Philippines — The early systematic evacuation executed by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) here before the super typhoon Uwan landed in the Philippine soil has saved thousands of residents from the danger.
Zambales Provincial Engineering and Infrastructure Consultant Domingo Mariano, who monitors the operation of the PDRRMO, said that as early as Thursday (Nov 6), Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. has mobilized all offices of the Provincial Capitol to laid out emergency plan.
Among the priorities were the readiness of all equipment, vehicles, and personnel, and are ready for deployment anywhere, and anytime. Specifically mentioned are the evacuation centers which may serve as temporary shelters of the residents affected by flashflood and landslides.
Gov. Ebdane who oversee the evacuation operations from the Command Center in Iba, said that as of 5:00 PM on Monday (Nov. 10) a total of 9,168 families, or 26,460 individuals, are now staying in emergency evacuation centers in 13 municipalities of Zambales.
The figure are much higher than the total of 2,993 families, or 8,441 individuals, reported on Saturday.
According to data submitted by PDRRMO head Rolex Estella, the most number of evacuees, reaching 3,038 families or 6,294 individuals, came from the town of Sta. Cruz where typhoon signal No. 4 was raised in the area.
From the municipality of Botolan, 1,865 families or 4,943 individuals; followed by Masinloc with 1,020 families or 3,237 individuals.
In the town of Candelaria- 810 families or 2,150 individuals; Subic, 694 families or 2,259 individuals, mostly from coastal barangay of Calapacuan, are temporary staying in evacuation centers.
In Cabangan, 246 families or 693 individuals were evacuated, while in San Narciso has 94 families or 302 individuals; San Felipe has 106 families or 333 individuals; Castillejos has 191amilies or 639 individuals; and Iba with only 487 families or 1,626 individuals were evacuated.
In San Antonio-57 families or 222; San Marcelino- 116 families or 348 individual; and Palauig- 453 families/ 1,384 individuals.
Personnel from the PDRRMO, Philippine National Police and volunteers remain on standby for rescue and relief operations while continuously monitoring the weather conditions and situation across the province.
Several department heads of the Zambales provincial government are also focused on and responding quickly to ensure everyone’s safety and to restore services affected by the typhoon.
