Tropical Depression 'Amang' forces evacuation in Visayas-Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 2,678 families or 11,153 persons have been evacuated in the Visayas and Mindanao because of Tropical Depression Amang.

The preemptive evacuation is being implemented to ensure the safety of affected communities, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

Residents in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Eastern Samar, Agusan del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur have been evacuated, the NDRRMC reported.

As of yesterday, NDRRMC said 2,951 passengers, 385 rolling cargoes, 49 vessels and 10 motorized bancas are stranded in Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Southern Visayas and Northern Mindanao.

A total of 145 cities and municipalities in Regions 5 and 13 have suspended classes. At least two flights to the areas have been cancelled.

The NDRRMC said the Department of Social Welfare and Development has prepositioned stockpiles of family food packs and standby funds amounting to P2.467 billion.

As this developed, Malacañang yesterday urged residents in the areas hit by Amang to be on alert and assured them that the government is ready to send aid to affected communities.

“We ask the public, especially residents who will be affected, to stay vigilant, monitor the latest weather advisory in their respective areas through government stations and social media accounts and coordinate with their local disaster risk reduction and management offices for the appropriate and responsive action,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement. – With Alexis Romero, Helen Flores, Cet Dematera