Marcos on Uwan: Preemptive evacuation made difference

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday lauded as "a difference-maker" the preemptive evacuation done by the local government units in the areas on the path of Super Typhoon Uwan.

Marcos made the remark as the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said preemptive evacuation efforts for 426,000 families have significantly reduced casualties.

"I want to thank our local governments, first responders, and volunteers for acting quickly and working together to keep our people safe,'' Marcos said in a statement as he presided over a post-Uwan briefing in Mandaluyong City.

"The preemptive evacuations you carried out made all the difference. Napakalaking bagay ng inyong maagap na pagkilos," he added.

(Your prompt response was a huge factor.)

426,000 evacuated

At least two persons have been reported dead due to Uwan, which packed winds of up to 185 kph and gustiness of up to 230 kph when it hit the Bicol region on Sunday.

A total of 1.4 million people or 426,000 families have been preemptively evacuated in Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Negros Island Region, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

OCD deputy administrator Assistant Secretary Rafaelito Alejandro III said 318,000 people, or 92,000 families, were staying in evacuation centers.

Around 1,000 houses were damaged — 996 partially and 89 totally. 

Floods hit 132 barangays. Storm surges in coastal communities and landslides were also reported. 

Aurora isolated

According to Alejandro, some towns in Aurora were isolated due to landslides. These towns are Dipaculao, Dinalungan, Casiguran, and Dilasag.

“Kahapon po nu'ng dumaan or nag-landfall 'yung bagyo sa Aurora, nag-report po ang ating PDRRMO na ang mga munisipyo ng Dipaculao, Dinalungan, Casiguran, and Dilasag sa Aurora ay na-isolate due to landslides,” he said.

(Yesterday when Uwan passed or made landfall in Aurora, our PDRRMO reported that the municipalities of Dipaculao, Dinalungan, Casiguran, and Dilasag in Aurora were isolated due to landslides.)

“But again, itong mga landslides na ito are subject to immediate clearing. Ngayong umaga, na-advise-an na rin natin ang ating DPWH to work closely with our LGUs para po mapabilis itong clearing operations natin,” he added.

(But again, these landslides are subject to immediate clearing. This morning, we advised our DPWH to work closely with our LGUs to fast-track the clearing operations.)

A total of 15 road networks need repair. 

Power interruptions were encountered in 155 areas. Water supply problems were also reported in 13 areas.

Food items worth P6.4 million were provided to the affected local government units. A total of 4,776 food packs were also given to affected residents in different regions.

Marcos's instructions

The President ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DOH) to continue assisting and ensure that medical teams are available to evacuees who are presently staying in evacuation centers. 

Weather agency PAGASA said Uwan is forecast to recurve northwestward on Monday, turn northward by Tuesday (November 11), and northeastward thereafter.

It may briefly re-intensify as it moves southwest of Taiwan before weakening again midweek.

Uwan is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by late Monday night or early Tuesday morning, but could re-enter by Wednesday evening as it moves toward Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands, eventually weakening into a remnant low by Friday. –NB, GMA Integrated News