#OfelPH: Disaster management officials want people to remain in evacuation centers

Metro Manila, Philippines — Disaster management officials in the Cordillera and Cagayan Valley have told people in evacuation centers to stay put and prepare for another tropical cyclone heading towards the regions this week.

In a televised public briefing on Tuesday, Nov. 12, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Cordillera Director Albert Mogol said local disaster management officials are assessing whether to let evacuees return to their homes after Typhoon Nika crossed Luzon.

“Kung ang masusunod ng advisory ng regional DRRM (disaster risk reduction and management) council, inaabisuhan namin na manatili muna sila,” Mogol said, adding that logistics and supply lines are up and running.

[Translation: If the advisory of the regional DRRM council will be followed, we are advising them to stay.]

“Pero ang desisyon ay, of course, nasa lokal na pamahalaan na kasi they know the situation more on the ground,” he also said.

[Translation: But the decision, of course, is with the local governments because they know the situation more on the ground.]

Tropical Storm Ofel, which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Tuesday morning, is expected to intensify into a typhoon in the coming days.

It is forecast to either make landfall or approach northern Luzon with its peak intensity.

OCD Cagayan Valley Director Leon Rafael told a separate briefing that local government units in the region prevented people living in danger areas from returning home for now.

“‘Yong pagbaba ng tubig ulan mula sa kabundukan maaaring magdulot ng baha at kung mangyari ito sa gabi ay lubhang mapanganib,” Rafael said.

[Translation: When rain water comes down from the mountains, it could cause flooding. If this happens during the night, it will be severely dangerous.]

“Di bale magtagal sila sa evacuation centers basta ligtas sila,” he added.

[Translation: It doesn't matter if they stay in the evacuation centers for a long time as long as they are safe.]

Rafael said the Department of Social Welfare and Development is replenishing food packs in Cagayan Valley, especially in Isabela.

Mogol said Cordillera authorities were serving 812 families across 75 evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, Rafael said around 2,800 families were preemptively evacuated for “Nika” in Cagayan Valley.

Data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed more than 153,000 people were affected by “Nika.”