Quezon City, Muntinlupa enforce preemptive evacuation

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City and Muntinlupa yesterday implemented preemptive evacuation of residents in low-lying areas due to the threat of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.

In Quezon City, the forced evacuation covered parts of Barangays Talalon, Roxas, Doña Imelda and Bagong Silangan as well as Vista Real Subdivision in Barangay Batasan Hills.

More than 1,595 families have been evacuated across the city as of 5:30 p.m., the city government said. Eight of the more than 20 evacuation centers were in use.

Twenty-five barangays were earlier identified as high-risk areas due to possible flooding.

The operation of Q City Bus service was suspended, but units remained on standby to serve as shuttles during evacuation.

A red rainfall warning was issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration over Metro Manila as Paeng barrels through southern Luzon.

The Quezon City government also suspended classes in all levels, public and private, yesterday.

In Muntinlupa, Mayor Ruffy Biazon ordered the preemptive evacuation of residents in flood-prone areas.

“The appropriate instructions are with the barangays,” he said in a video message on Facebook.

Biazon reminded residents to follow the directives of barangay officials for their safety. He also called on them to prepare and to refrain from leaving their homes unless necessary.

He visited Muntinlupa’s civil security office, where relief goods are being repacked and readied for distribution at evacuation centers.

Twelve families have so far been evacuated from their homes in the city, he said.

Pasig opens 14 evacuation centers

Meanwhile, the Pasig City government opened 14 evacuation sites to accommodate residents who would be affected by Paeng.

The evacuation centers are located in Barangays Bagong Ilog, Caniogan, Manggahan, Maybunga, Oranbo, Rosario, Santolan, Sta. Lucia, Sta. Rosa and Ugong.

“Naka-red alert kami ng incident management. Evacuation sites ready,” Mayor Vico Sotto said in a Facebook post.

The city government urged residents, especially those in high-risk areas, to immediately leave their homes once there is an order for a preemptive evacuation.

The Pasig City Cemetery was closed to visitors yesterday due to the storm

Sotto encouraged residents to stay indoors for their safety.