Some residents of Barangay Palawig, Sta. Ana, Cagayan have refused to leave their homes and livelihoods despite warnings amid Typhoon #OfelPH.

Officials have gone house-to-house to urge them to evacuate ahead.

Bernard Anelag, a resident, said he wanted to secure his house first. He was seen covering the terrace with a tarp.

“Ayusin lang muna ito,” he said.

Billy Raqueno, another resident, prioritized securing his fishing boat, saying he would move to the evacuation center if the storm worsened.

“Mamaya na lang po kami lilikas, tapusin muna namin ang ginagawa namin,” he said.

As the typhoon neared, barangay and local government officials brought in police to ensure the evacuation of children, senior citizens, women, and pregnant residents.

“Mga ka-barangay, huwag na matigas ang ulo,” Barangay Palawig Chairwoman Nelia Dela Cruz announced.

“'Yung mga tao, tsaka lang magpa-rescue kapag may bagyo na. Kapag bagyo na, panay na tawag, may mga umiiyak na, gusto na nila magpa-rescue,” Marion Miranda, the Sta. Ana Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (MDRRM) officer, added.

IMPACT

By noon on Thursday, November 14, 2024, rain and strong winds from Typhoon #OfelPH lashed the town.

Evacuees from the indigenous people (IP) community in Barangay San Vicente arrived in waves.

“Nakakatakot na doon sa amin kasi malakas na ang hangin,” Ricky Bacule, an evacuee, said.

OVERCROWDING

Barangay San Vicente, however, faced a shortage of evacuation spaces, with most classrooms damaged by the previous Typhoon #MarcePH.

Overcrowding has become a challenge, as more than 200 families fled their homes.

“We set 25 individuals per large room, pero dahil nagkukulang,” Michael Raminajez, a barangay official, said.

By early afternoon on the same day, the typhoon’s force became apparent. Visibility was near-zero and strong winds have damaged roofs and pulled tree branches to the ground.

Power outages were reported in some areas, as rescuers continued efforts to bring residents out of harm’s way.