Aurora province to impose swimming ban at 6 p.m. ahead of Chedeng

Aurora provincial disaster management officials are implementing a ban on swimming and surfing starting 6 p.m. Friday, ahead of Typhoon Chedeng's (Maysak's) approach.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office action officer Engineer Elson Egargue said they have sought help from police and Coast Guard teams to enforce the ban.

"Hanggang mamayang hapon lang sila mag-swimming. After that, pagbabawalan ang sa baybaying dagat. Hanggang 6 p.m. po," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

After that, he said no swimming and surfing will be allowed in the coastal areas of Aurora.

Egargue said they have coordinated with the Coast Guard and local police to monitor the situation.

He also said they have readied 50 evacuation centers in Aurora province.

Aurora is one of the areas where Chedeng may make landfall on Sunday.

Forced evacuation

Meanwhile, dzBB's Allan Gatus reported local officials in Baler town in Aurora province are preparing to forcibly evacuate tourists amid the threat from Chedeng.

The town disaster risk reduction and management council informed inns and hotels to have tourists and guests leave within Friday.

"Kung sakaling hindi pumayag na umalis ang mga bisita ngayong araw na ito ay ipaalam na isa sila sa mga mapapabilang sa isasagawang PREEMPTIVE EVACUATION kung ang kanilang lugar na tinutuluyan sa malapit sa dagat at mababang lugar ang kinalalagyan," said Baler Mayor Nelianto Bihasa.

"At kung sakaling hindi sila tumugon sa PREEMPTIVE EVACUATION ay mapapasama sila sa isasagawang FORCE(D) EVACUATION kung kinakailangan," he added.  — Joel Locsin/LBG/TJD, GMA News