CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – At least 748 families or 2,953 individuals were brought to various evacuation centers on Sunday as the province braced for the onslaught of Typhoon Rolly.
Based on the latest report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the residents who were preemptively evacuated are from low-lying and landslide-prone areas in the towns of Sasmuan, Macabebe, San Luis, Lubao, Magalang, Masantol, and Arayat.
Governor Dennis Pineda, in a public address, said the affected families were brought to 19 evacuation centers where they are now being taken care of by the local government units with the support of the provincial government.
“Nothing to worry. Ginawa lang natin ito para siguraduhin ang safety ng mga Kapampangan (we did this to ensure the safety of the Kapampangans) especially those in the coastal barangays and along Pampanga River,” he said.
Pineda advised residents to stay alert and those who were not transferred to safer grounds to stay home.
The governor ordered on Saturday the prepositioning of personnel, rescue vehicles and equipment as well as food packs and medicines in areas at risk of flooding, landslides and storm surges.
Angelina Blanco, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) Officer, said the governor also suspended work in government agencies and private companies through an executive order after consulting with the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Blanco said health protocols against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are integrated in PDRRMC’s responses.
Pampanga is one of the provinces that are under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 4 due to Typhoon Rolly. (PNA)