Over 1.8k Bicol residents evacuate due to storm Quinta threat

At least 1,864  people or 551 families in Bicol have been evacuated ahead of the forecast landfall of Tropical Storm Quinta in the region, the Office of Civil Defense Region V said in a report update at Sunday noon.

In an earlier interview on Dobol B sa News TV, OCD-5 Public Information Officer Gremil Naz said the evacuees are from Guinobatan, Albay and Canaman, Camarines Sur.

“Meron na po tayong nag-preemptive evacuation na dalawang munisipyo, based po sa report na ipinadala sa ating ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) Region 5,” Naz said.

“That is Guinobatan in Albay and Canaman in Camarines Sur,’ he added.

Three evacuation centers are sheltering evacuees in Guinobatan, while one in Canaman, Naz added.

He noted that local government units are observing health protocols in evacuation centers in light of the COVID-19 threat.

Among the facilities used as evacuation centers in Albay are Guinobatan East Central School, Lower Binogsacan High School, and Lower Binogsacan Elementary School.

In Camarines Sur, the Brgy. Haring Evacuation Center has been opened for evacuees in the town of Canaman.

Also, the Casiguran Gymnasium sheltered affected residents in Casiguran, Sorsogon.

“As of 12 noon, 25 October 2020, there are 680 stranded persons, 288 trucks, 14 light vehicles and 5 sea vessels. 32 sea vessels and 2 motorized bancas are also taking shelter in various ports in Bicol,” the OCD-5 said.

In an 8 a.m. bulletin, state weather bureau PAGASA said that Quinta (international name: Molave) will possibly intensify into a severe tropical storm as it makes a landfall over the region either Sunday afternoon or evening.

Several areas in Luzon and Visayas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals Nos. 1 and 2 as PAGASA warned against heavy to intense rains.

Also, in anticipation of the Quinta's onslaught in southern Luzon areas, all sea travels in CALABARZON (Region V-4A) have been canceled.  —LBG, GMA News