President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on government agencies to ensure the evacuation of residents to higher ground ahead of a potential storm surge from Typhoon Pepito.
PAGASA earlier cautioned that coastal communities in low-lying and exposed areas face a significant threat of life-threatening storm surges.
Furthermore, the highest wind signal that may be raised during the passage of typhoon Pepito is signal no. 5.
Marcos stressed that communities in storm surge-prone areas must take additional precautions beyond preparing for strong winds and heavy rain, noting that the potential impact could be different, necessitating the relocation of residents to higher ground.
“It’s not enough to move them away from the sea. We have to get them to high ground. That’s the only thing that we can do when there is a storm surge,” Marcos stated during the situation briefing at National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Friday.
The President then directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to communicate all essential information to local government units (LGUs) across the country.
He emphasized the need to inform the public about the risks posed by Typhoon Pepito, stressing that residents in affected areas must be warned and prepared for its impact.
In line with this, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) urged LGUs to begin preemptive evacuations starting Friday, Nov. 15.
The OCD also advised authorities to continue responding to Typhoons Marce and Nika affected areas while preparing for the incoming storm.
Marcos emphasized that government agencies should apply the important lessons learned from previous storms in responding to the incoming typhoons.
“We must remember all the lessons we learned from previous incidents of storm surge and we have to provide guidance to our local executives so that they know what to do and how to protect themselves against possible storm surge,” he further stated.
All government assets, including rubber boats and air assets, will be prepositioned near areas that may be affected by Typhoon Pepito.
