Coastal areas in Aparri almost turn into a ghost town as residents flee Ompong

Many residents of the coastal area in Aparri, Cagayan have left their homes to flee the onslaught of super typhoon Ompong.

According to Chino Gaston's report on "24 Oras", Barangay Maura in Aparri has turned into a ghost town due to storm surge warnings which prompted immediate preemptive evacuation ahead of Ompong's expected landfall on Saturday dawn.

"Pinaalis na [ang mga babae at mga bata]. Nasa CSU (Cagayan State University). Tingnan namin mamaya [kung susunod kami] kung lumalakas [ang bagyo],” Barangay Maura resident Jimmy Carrascon said.

Over 100 individuals from Barangay Maura have sought refuge in CSU which served as an evacuation center.

Another resident Myrna Quizzagan, for her part, also brought food items and cooking utensils with her so that they won't be too dependent on relief goods from the government.

"Mas mabuti na 'yung maagang umalis dun. Delikado dun sa amin,” Quizzagan said.

“Nangangamba kami kaya lumipat na kami [rito sa evacuation center]. May konting bigas at may gasulette kami, [kasi] baka matagalan kami dito,” she added.

Stores and gasoline stations have also closed shop. Hardware and drug stores which are still open are few and far in between.

Gas pumps, on the other hand, were tied and wrapped to prevent it from being destroyed by Ompong.

The Philippine Coast Guard is also on standby for assistance.

Not everybody, however, fears storm surges as a result of the typhoon since there are still children playing by the coastline.

Given the situation, Aparri Mayor Shalimar Tumaru called on her constituents to heed the government warnings for their own good.

"I hope with the onset of the malakas na ulan, I hope na magising na mga kababayan namin at mag pre-emptive evacuation na,” Tumaru said. —Llanesca Panti/NB, GMA News