SUMMARY
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As the pandemic-hit country braces for the most powerful typhoon of the year so far, some local government units (LGUs) and agencies ramped up preparation for Typhoon Rolly (Gani).
As of 8 pm on Saturday, October 31, Signal No. 4 was raised in Catanduanes province as well as the eastern portion of Camarines Sur.
Typhoon Rolly is expected to make landfall over Catanduanes, and would pass over mainland Camarines provinces on Sunday morning, November 1.
This weather disturbance comes a week after Typhoon Quinta (Molave) ravaged the same region alongside different areas in Mindoro Island.
More than 200,000 people have been told to seek shelter in the Bicol region with evacuations also expected in other areas.
Authorities enforced preemptive evacuation, organized rescue teams, conducted clearing operations, and sorted relief packs while observing health protocols. (READ: How to prepare for typhoon hazards during a pandemic)
Here are some photos on how communities prepare ahead of Typhoon Rolly’s landfall:
BICOL REGION
Camarines Sur
Provincial officials started to evacuate residents living in areas prone to storm surge, landslides, and floods in all towns.
As of Saturday afternoon, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) helped evacuate 128 families from Barangay Ipil and Barangay Iraya in Camarines Sur.
Naga City assigned personnel for its incident management team early morning Saturday to prepare emergency vehicles and equipment for rescue and posted emergency hotline numbers in its Facebook post.
To ensure that no debris would cause harm to residents at the height of the typhoon, the City also partnered with the Solid Waste Management Office, City Engineer’s office, and General Services Office, in cutting branches of trees that could topple during the typhoon.
The Municipality of Nabua and Iriga hosted the briefing of the navy reservists from the 31st Naval Group Reserve-Bicol and Marine Rifle Company Reserve-Camarines Sur. Together with the Naval Reserve Center Southern Luzon, the group is set to form a disaster response and rescue team.
Meanwhile, the LGU of Sipocot distributed food packs to 2,500 families in 8 of its barangays. The LGU also implemented forced evacuation of families residing in high-risk areas.
As early as as early as Thursday, October 29, the LGU of Calabanga, one of the municipalities in Camarines Sur which is near a coast line, issued a memorandum, issuing a “No Sailing Policy” and forced evacuation to residents prone to storm surge and flooding.
Albay
At least 577 families were preemptively evacuated in Brgy San Roque and Brgy Pigcale in Legazpi, Albay by Ang Probinsyano Party-list.
Masbate
Meanwhile in the province of Masbate, the LGU of Mandaon in the province of Masbate prepared relief goods for distribution to its residents.
Volunteers from Red Cross 143 assisted fishermen in Brgy. Moroborocan, Monreal in Ticao Island in securing their motorboats. They also warned residents in the coastal areas of the possible effects of the typhoon.
Sorsogon
Aside from local government unit, the Diocesan Shrine of our Lady of the Pillar made preparations to accommodate evacuees in Pilar, Sorsogon.
Catanduanes
To prepare for the rescue operations, the PCG organized deployable response teams as early as Friday, October 30, and accounted for its search and rescue equipment and personnel in their stations around the island of Catanduanes.
CALABARZON
Quezon Province
The municipal disaster risk reduction and management office in General Nakar town in Quezon conducted clearing operations to cut off unwanted tree branches and debris. Residents living near the coastline were also evacuated their homes.
In the municipality of Quezon, relief goods containing rice, canned goods, egg, and noodles were distributed to its residents.
NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION
Metro Manila
Manila City Government set up modular tents inside the evacuation site at covered court in Barangay 128 in Tondo.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno also announced on Saturday night the need for a forced evacuation of 120 families in Isla Puting Bato and Baseco Compound by Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, Quezon City also implemented preemptive evacuation in certain low-lying and landslide-prone barangays in the City.
CAGAYAN VALLEY
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office – Cagayan Valley prepared 21,882 food packs for distribution to various local governments.
CENTRAL LUZON
Bulacan
The Marilao Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in Bulacan prepared emergency equipment for rescue operations.
How are your communities preparing for Typhoon Rolly? Let us know by tagging @MovePH! – with reports from Russell Ku and Alzel Laguardia/Rappler.com
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