2,500 barangays in Ilocos, Cagayan, CAR to evacuate amid Nika threat

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered mayors and governors in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Region to conduct preemptive evacuation  of hundreds of barangays as Severe Tropical Storm Nika is expected to make landfall on Monday.  

In Jamie Santos’ 24 Oras Weekend report on Sunday, Nika is expected to traverse areas that tropical cyclones Kristine, Leon, and Marce hit.

According to PAGASA, Nika is seen to make landfall over Isabela or Aurora on Monday morning or early afternoon.

“Ang nakalagay estimated up to 700mm darating sa lugar na yan between Monday 8 a.m until Saturday evening. With the saturation of Marce, Kristine, and Leon, basang basa na ang lupa doon ay ang possibilities ng landslide ay napakataas,” Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.

(It is estimated that up to 700mm of rain will pour in that area between Monday 8 a.m. until Saturday evening. With the saturation of Marce, Kristine, and Leon, the soil is so soaked that the possibilities of a landslide are very high.)

Residents of about 2,500 barangays have 16 hours to evacuate, which will start on Sunday evening.

These barangays are flood-prone and landslide-prone areas.

“DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] has identified the barangays most prone to landslide and floods and response should be immediate,” Remulla said.

He added that concerned agencies are prepared to bring aid to Nika-affected areas.

Aside from Nika, two other tropical cyclones are expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility, which will be called Ofel and Pepito.

“The problem is that this will be a 10-day event starting Friday to Monday next week. the response scenario that we are preparing for is a 10-day event from Friday last week to Monday next week,” Remulla said.

DOH priorities

In a statement on Sunday, the Department of Health (DOH) said it is coordinating with the government to preemptively evacuate women in their third trimester of pregnancy, lactating mothers, young children, seniors, persons with disabilities, and those with pre-existing conditions. 

DOH said health facilities are directed to prioritize the admission of pregnant women at high risk of complications.

“Handa ang mga health facility at ospital ng DOH para masigurong tuloy-tuloy ang pagbibigay serbisyo sa kabila ng banta ng bagyo," said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.

(DOH health facilities and hospitals are ready to ensure healthcare services are available amid the storm.) 

The public were also advised to prepare and secure a “Go Bag” per family containing a first aid kit with items such as wound cleansers and bandages, medicines, survival kits with items like flashlights and pocket knife, and personal items like toiletries and extra clothes. 

"Ngayon ang tamang oras para maagang mailikas ang mga pamilyang nasa mga lugar na maaaring maapektuhan ng landslide o pagbaha dulot ng bagyong Nika,” Herbosa said. 

“Manatili po tayong alerto at sumunod sa abiso ng mga awtoridad tungkol sa paglikas habang malayo pa sa kalupaan ang bagyo,” he added. 

(This is the right time to preemptively evacuate families in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas. Let us be alert and follow the authorities’ advice on evacuation while the storm is far from the Philippine landmass.) — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News