Nearly 30,000 families have been affected by Tropical Depression “Wilma,” while more than 9,000 individuals were evacuated, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 8 on Sunday.
“May preemptive evacuation tayo ng 3,164 families with 9,614 persons. Pero may mga affected na tayo na 29,960 families converting to 103,001 persons with 123 barangays. Ito ‘yung mga pinalikas at ‘yung iba naka-experience ng mga light na pagbaha,” OCD Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) officer-in-charge Director Rey Gozon said in a radio interview.
The OCD official said the evacuees will not be allowed to go back home until authorities are convinced they will be safe.
“Papatapusin muna natin ang bagyo. Hindi natin sila pauuwiin unless ma-ensure nating wala nang paparating na malakas na ulan,” he said.
Gozon said they are also focusing on conducting preemptive evacuations in areas prone to floods and landslides.
“‘Yan ang tinutukan natin na magkaroon ng preemptive evacuation, ‘yung mga kababayan natin na nasa along flood- and landslide-prone areas,” he said.
So far, the OCD has not received any request from local government units (LGUs) for additional assistance, Gozon said.
No complaints were received regarding the distribution of relief goods in affected areas, he added.
“Maganda naman ang pamamalakad ng local DRRMCs (disaster risk reduction and management councils),” Gozon added.
Gozon reminded the public that trips by sea and other water activities are currently prohibited due to violent ocean conditions created by the storm.
