Ilocos residents begin to flee ahead of Ompong's onslaught

Some residents in Ilocos Sur have begun to leave their homes and seek safer ground ahead of Typhoon Ompong unleashing its wrath across Northern Luzon.

Jun Veneracion's report on "24 Oras" on Wednesday featured residents of Barangay Tabucolan in Santa, an area described as "critical" ahead of the typhoone as people live in homes just 30 to 50 feet from the shore, preparing for the onslaught.

Choosing to stay behind and keep an eye on their home, Melencio Aldaca sent his entire family packing as early as Tuesday.

Meanwhile, 70-year-old resident Lilia Bernido hoped to reach her relative's home in time with two grandchildren and many belongings in tow.

"Kinakabahan talaga ako, sir. Talaga ang mga apo ko, maliliit oh. Ganiyan ang hirap ng buhay kaya aalis kami doon," the grandmother said.

Other residents used rope to secure their roofs to their houses and hoped for the best.

"Nagdadasal kami araw-araw, umaga, kagabi, para mailigtas ang bahay namin. Para hindi darating ang bagyo dito," lola Bernido said.

The Santa municipal disaster risk reduction office halted all fishing activities with towering waves expected.

It has also started preparing relief goods for residents.

The government has pre-positioned rescue equipment and stocked emergency food items at the municipal hall.

"Nag-series of meetings kami sa mga concerned departments para makapag-ready lahat. Meron na ring naka-preposition na equipment at saka relief goods sa mga nakikita ng PDRRMO na critical area," PDRRMO head Engr. Pete Agcaoili said.

In Ilocos Norte, farmers in the town of Solsona harvested rice even though the grain was still green.

For the tillers, it was better to make do with the rice grains they had instead of letting it go to waste should powerful winds and heavy rains destroy the fields.

Ompong entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday afternoon.

PAGASA expects it to develop into a super typhoon with a peak intensity of 220 kph  to 270 kph (maximum sustained winds/gustiness) on Thursday. —Margaret Claire Layug/JST, GMA News