LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) – Camarines Sur Governor Vincenzo Renato Luigi Villafuerte directed all local chief executives in the province to identify safe alternate and additional evacuation sites in anticipation of Severe Tropical Storm “Pepito,” which entered the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday night.
According to weather advisory No. 30 from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Camarines Sur and its neighboring provinces may experience intense to torrential rain, with rainfall rates potentially exceeding 200 mm per hour.
During Typhoon Nika, 3,365 families, or 13,141 individuals, were evacuated from 122 barangays. The provincial government expects the number of evacuees to rise as Pepito approaches.
Villafuerte emphasized that identifying and preparing safe alternative evacuation sites is essential, particularly after the province faced unprecedented heavy flooding during Severe Tropical Storm Kristine last month.
“With the continuing threat of flooding and expected heavy rains due to Pepito, to ensure the safety of families vulnerable to the effects of a tropical cyclone and flooding, identification, and preparation of safe alternative evacuation centers is a must,” Villafuerte said.
“During the onslaught of “Kristine,” severe flooding was observed in areas that had never been flooded, affecting several evacuation centers hence there is a need for safe alternative evacuation centers or kabarangay shelters,” the governor added.
Classes at all levels, both public and private, have been suspended effective today, November 15, to ensure the safety of students and school personnel.
This measure allows vulnerable families to prepare for preemptive evacuations, while Department of Education personnel can secure educational materials, equipment, and important documents from potential damage due to flooding and the other impacts of Typhoon Pepito.
Additionally, work in provincial government offices has also been suspended today.
Villafuerte urges national government agencies and private companies to consider suspending work at their discretion. (PIA 5)
