Metro Manila prepares for onslaught of Pepito

As Super Typhoon Pepito is expected to bring heavy rains as it traverses the Luzon landmass on Sunday afternoon, local government units in Metro Manila have begun preparations.

Manila

In the City of Manila, pre-emptive evacuations have been conducted in areas near water bodies, as ordered by Mayor Honey Lacuna.

At President Corazon Aquino High School, residents from the coastal area in Barangay 649, Baseco Compound continued arriving in the wee hours, according to GMA Integrated News reporter Jhomer Apresto.

According to the Manila Department of Social Welfare, 120 families were evacuated from Barangay 649 as of before 3 a.m.

Meanwhile, other residents who evacuated were brought to Delpan Evacuation Center in Barangay 128.

Marikina

In Barangay Sto. Niño in Marikina City, rescue boats were already prepared and made ready for deployment should these be needed, according to Super Radyo dzBB reporter Mark Makalalad.

#BantayBagyo: Mga bangka sa Brgy. Sto Niño, Marikina City, nakahanda na sakaling kailanganin dahil sa bagyong #PepitoPH. | via @MMakalalad pic.twitter.com/9lZq6RP1oa

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) November 17, 2024

Navotas

Meanwhile, in Navotas City, fishermen secured their rafts and motor bancas so these will be not swept away by strong winds and waves, according to GMA Integrated News reporter Nico Waje.

Sea travel on Manila Bay has been prohibited due to Pepito.

Itinali na sa mga balsa ang ilang mga bangka ng ilang mangingisda sa Navotas City upang hindi anurin ng alon sakaling maramdaman ang hagupit ng Bagyong #PepitoPH. | via Nico Waje/GMA Integrated News pic.twitter.com/iIRnQYT48A

— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) November 17, 2024

Quezon City

Pre-emptive evacuation has been implemented in some flood-prone barangays in Quezon City on Saturday.

These were in Barangays Masambong, Del Monte, Sto. Domingo, Talayan, Damayan and Mariblo in District 1; Bagong Silangan in District 2; Tatalon, Damayang Lagi, and Roxas in District 4; and Apolonio Samson in District 6, the local government said.

The local government also encouraged other flood-prone barangays in the city to implement evacuations to avoid any casualties due to Pepito. 

Motorists who may be affected by Pepito may avail of the free overnight parking that will be offered by some malls in Metro Manila on Sunday.

According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), all malls of SM, Ayala and Robinsons in Metro Manila will offer free overnight parking as flooding may occur due to the heavy rains to be brought by Pepito.

Metro Manila is under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2, according to PAGASA's 11 a.m. bulletin.

With this, winds from 62 to 88 km/h may be expected in at least 24 hours. —KG, GMA Integrated News