LUCENA CITY (PIA) – Quezon Province reported zero casualties on Monday following intense rains and winds dumped by super typhoon Pepito (Man-yi) in the province’s island towns.
Melchor Avenilla Jr., Chief of the Quezon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), attributed the zero casualty to proactive safety measures implemented by local governments and cooperation of residents in moving to safer grounds during the typhoon’s onslaught.
Also on Monday, Quezon Gov. Angelina Helen Tan led relief efforts in the island towns of Polillo and Jomalig which experienced heavy rains and strong winds on Sunday morning.
“We thank the Lord that even if Polillo Group of Islands was a direct hit… with strong winds and heavy rains.. we did not suffer as much,” the Governor told residents assembled in the town’s gymnasium.
Tan reminded locals the importance of cooperating with their officials when they ask them to evacuate whenever a storm warning is issued, whether it is a super typhoon or not.
“There might be inconveniences in the evacuation centers, but a little sacrifice, because we prioritize our safety and saving lives,” the chief executive added.
She also emphasized that the combined efforts of government agencies, extensive information dissemination, and public cooperation were crucial in averting casualties from the typhoon.
A total of 48,853 families, or 165,410 individuals, who were at risk of storm surges, flooding and landslides observed preemptive evacuation ahead of Pepito. Evacuees have returned safely to their homes when storm signals were lifted.
The Philippine Coast Guard, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and members of the police force assisted local governments in enforcing preemptive and forced evacuation.
Some parts of the Polillo Group of Islands, including Patnanungan and Jomalig, were placed under Signal No. 5, while General Nakar, Infanta, Burdeos, Panukulan, and Polillo were under Signal No. 4.
The Office of Civil Defense Calabarzon, AFP-Southern Luzon Command, and other provincial officials joined Tan in visiting the island towns to distribute relief goods and assess residents’ needs. (CO/PIA-4A)
