President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has instructed government agencies to develop storm surge risk maps to help local governments better prepare for typhoons and extreme weather conditions.
“The only way to combat a storm surge is to evacuate or move to higher ground,” Marcos said during a briefing with officials. “We need these maps urgently so the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) can warn affected areas.”
Marcos emphasized the importance of safety, noting that for a three-meter storm surge, residents must move to areas at least five meters above sea level.
Areas at Risk
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has identified several provinces at moderate to high risk of storm surges from Tropical Cyclone Pepito within the next 48 hours. These include:
- Quezon
- Albay
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Catanduanes
- Masbate
- Sorsogon
- Eastern Samar
- Northern Samar
PAGASA warns that these areas may experience storm surges ranging from 2.1 to 3 meters, prompting pre-emptive evacuations.
Evacuation Plans in Place
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla reported that approximately 200,000 families in coastal barangays could be affected. Evacuation points at least five meters above sea level have been identified, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will assist in evacuation efforts to prevent looting in abandoned homes.
“Residents fear looting, so we’ll have police personnel on hand to maintain security,” said Remulla.
Local government units are working swiftly to inform and evacuate at-risk communities. Marcos stressed the urgency, saying, “We have very little time to act.”
This move is part of the administration’s proactive approach to minimizing casualties and damage from severe weather events.