La Union town readies evacuation centers amid heavy rains

The local government of San Fernando City in La Union has designated P. Ortega Gymnasium as its primary evacuation center as the city gears up for Typhoon Falcon.

In a report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, Bobby Valdriz of La Union's Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said the capitol has also been designated as back-up evacuation center.

“If worse comes to worst definitely the provincial government of La Union through our governor, siya po ang magbibigay ng directive na utilize na lang po itong bagong evacuation center sa capitol,” Valdriz said.

But concerns over the P. Ortega Gymnasium as an evacuation center were raised due to the facility's proximity to the sea.



The report said there were no breakwaters to counter possible storm surges in the area.

However, Valdriz said the gymnasium is a safe place for residents during the storm, noting its accessibility. He also said the facility had been used as an evacuation center in past storms.

Typhoon Falcon (international codename Chan-Hom) entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility late Tuesday and is expected to exit on Friday. —Andrei Medina/KBK, GMA News