Residents near rivers urged to stay alert even if rains subside

Residents near rivers should stay alert even if rains brought by Tropical Storm Mario and the southwest monsoon subside, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Friday.

NDRRMC executive director Alexander Pama said residents in low-lying areas should continue monitoring water levels and evacuate if necessary as nighttime approaches.

"Kahit tumigil na ang ulan, mamayang gabi, huwag munang maging kampante kasi baka yung mga tubig na naipon doon ay magsisimula nang bumaba sa mga river natin," Pama said at a press briefing on Friday afternoon.

He particularly appealed to residents near the Tullahan River to prioritize their safety, with the La Mesa Dam already reaching its spilling level.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., meanwhile, called on residents near rivers to immediately heed evacuation orders from local officials.

"Lumikas po kayo sa mga evacuation centers na tinalaga ng inyong mga pamahalaan. Kung maaari lang po, huwag nating pahirapan ang ating mga mayors at local officials sa pagtulong po sa inyo," Ochoa said in a separate interview.

President Benigno Aquino III has ordered all government agencies to ensure the safety of Filipinos amid threats posed by the weather disturbance, Ochoa added.

Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon experienced heavy flooding on Friday morning due to hours of heavy rain from Tropical Storm Mario (Fung-Wong).

The storm is slowly moving toward the northernmost part of the country, and is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Sunday morning. -- Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMA News