Several residents of Batanes have evacuated to safety with the help of local authorities as Super Typhoon #LeonPH nears on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

The Basco Cathedral Pastoral Center, for one, has opened its doors to those seeking refuge.

Fr. Ronaldo Manabat, who oversees the center, confirmed that evacuees started arriving morning on October 30, 2024.

“May mga evacuees na po kami... okay naman po [ang sitwasyon namin], medyo malakas na po ang hangin na may kasamang pag-ulan po,” he said.

The center is providing essential support, including food, ready-to-eat meals, cooking facilities, and free mosquito nets.

“Preemptive evacuation po ginawa natin para po maiwasan ang may masaktan o magkaroon ng casualties po,” Fr. Manabat said.

As of 1:25 p.m. on October 30, a total of five families, or 20 individuals, have sought shelter at the pastoral center, with more expected to come.

“May mga nagsabi pa po na papunta po,” Fr. Manabat said.

On Tuesday, October 29, personnel from the Basco Police Station, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), worked together to ensure residents could leave their homes safely.

As preparations continue, power in the area was expected to be cut off by noon on Wednesday, October 30.

Other local police stations, like the Itbayat Municipal Police Station (MPS) and Ivana Police Station, have also helped residents reinforce their houses and remind them of safety measures.

The Itbayat MPS personnel worked alongside residents to reinforce roofs, or “Manpet,” and secure window shutters, or “Tapangko.”

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Super Typhoon #LeonPH is projected to come closest to Batanes between Wednesday night and Thursday morning before making landfall on Taiwan’s eastern coast.