Ilocos Norte imposes liquor ban ahead of Ompong

Calm before the storm? Skies over Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, remain bright and sunny as of Thursday even as Typhoon Ompong continues to move closer toward northern Luzon. Photo by Jun Veneracion

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — The provincial government has imposed a liquor ban as part of precautionary measures ahead of Typhoon Ompong.

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos said the ban on “the selling  and purchase of alcohol in all places” took effect 4 p.m. on Wednesday and will continue to be enforced until Ompong exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

“Napansin namin sa mga nakaraang bagyo eh talagang inuman din ang sanhi ng mga aksidente,” Marcos said.

Apart from the liquor ban, the provincial capitol has also started to implement preemptive evacuation in critical communities that are vulnerable to floodings and storm surges.

At least 500 people have already been evacuated even as weather conditions remained fair and sunny on Thursday. The number is expected to balloon within the day.

Ilocos Norte is gearing up for Typhoon Ompong just weeks after monsoon rains hit the province, which destroyed swaths of agricultural land.

“We are just recovering from the Habagat, nagpapadagdag kami ng relief goods and medicine,” Marcos said. —KBK, GMA News