Residents in parts of Camarines Norte, Quezon, Samar provinces evacuate due to Pepito

Several local government units have implemented evacuations to minimize the impact of Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-Yi).

Pepito made landfall in the vicinity of Panganiban, Catanduanes, at 9:40 p.m. Saturday.

Before this, evacuations were conducted in low-lying and critical areas in Daet, Camarines Norte, and Quezon province, according to a ''24 Oras Weekend'' report by Sandra Aguinaldo.

“Kaya kami ganito kasi kapag minsan kasagsagan na po ng bagyo [ay] tsaka po sila nanghihingi ng rescue. Ang baha po talaga doon ay lagpas tao, mahirap na po magrescue,” said Kagawad Marie Candelaria of Barangay San Isidro, Daet.

(We are like this because sometimes they ask for rescue at the peak of the storm. Floodwaters reach beyond the average human height, and it’s hard to conduct rescues.)

Some locals were eventually convinced to leave, despite their initial resistance.

“May mga palay kami diyan, may mga hayop. Kaya lang, sabi po ng ano ay forced evacuation po, kaya susunod nalang po,” said resident Arthur Rangasa.

(We have grains and livestock there. But the government said forced evacuation, so we’ll just follow.)

Forced evacuations were also conducted in Barangay Bagasbas, Awitan, Gubat, and Mambalite.

The Daet Municipal Disaster and Risk Reduciton Management Office said that it was important for residents in coastal areas and flood-prone areas to evacuate before nightfall as they expect heavy rainfall until Sunday.

“Hindi dadaan samin 'yung mata, pero nasa inner wall kami. Wala po kaming pahinga,” said Daet MDDRMO chief Santiago Mella.

(The eye would not pass over us, but we would be in the inner wall of the typhoon. We have no rest.)

A fishing and surfing ban has since been implemented in Daet.

In Naga City, Mayor Nelson Legacion has implemented a curfew starting Saturday afternoon and advised residents to remain in their homes or evacuation centers.

Businesses, with the exception of emergency responders, barangays, and CDRRMC personnel, were also closed.

In a separate 24 Oras Weekend report, Jun Veneracion said that forced evacuations were being implemented in Tagkawayan, Quezon.

Authorities earlier implemented preemptive evacuations in critical areas in Tagkawayan, with a priority on the elderly, children, and sick evacuees.

Forced evacuation was carried out right away after the preemptive evacuation ended at 4 p.m.

However, some residents did not evacuate.

“Sa ayaw po nila at sa gusto, kailangan po talaga nilang lumikas. Kung sakali man, yung ari-arian [at] yung mga bagay na mawawala, pwede mapalitan pero yung buhay ay medyo malaking usapin po yun,” said Tagkawayan MDRRMO chief Bayani Garcia.

(Whether they want to or not, they really need to evacuate. In any case, the property and items that will go missing can be replaced, but lives are a different conversation.)

There have been no reports of panic buying in the area, but ATM queues were long.

“Siyempre, kailangan laging handa,” said a resident.

(Of course we always have to be ready.)

Over 1,000 families were forced to evacuate in Eastern Samar and more than 7,000 in Northern Samar.

According to Fe Marie Dumaboc's report on 24 Oras Weekend, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) conducted a forced evacuation in Eastern Samar as early as Friday night, especially in the coastal and low-lying areas.

The Eastern Samar Provincial DRRMO said about 1,000 families were forced to evacuate.

Animals were also evacuated.

Authorities urged the public, particularly those who reside on the coast and along the waterways, to avoid complacency due to the persistent rains.

Several parts of Catarman lost power, but it was later restored in the evening. —Jiselle Anne Casucian and Sherylin Untalan/VBL, GMA Integrated News