Ground Report

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered today the pre-emptive evacuation of all residents in low-lying areas and those whose houses are not sturdy enough to withstand the strength and rainfall of the coming typhoon, “Santi.” At the climate change meeting Friday, the President said Santi is expected to make landfall by 3 a.m. on Saturday with wind strength of 150 kilometers per hour, entering northern Quezon and exiting Zambales. In a message she asked people living in flood risk prone areas to be moved out of areas even if they refuse in a ‘preemptive evacuation’ and for local officials to tap Police if needed.

The President challenged the local officials of Guagua to maintain its “zero casualty” status through pre-emptive evacuation and pre-positioning of rescue and relief facilities to vulnerable areas. Meanwhile, Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) 3 Chairman Gen. Nilo de la Cruz informed the President that the RDCC has deployed in the past two days 2,557 men from the Philippine National Police Region 3, first in preparation for Undas (All Souls Day) but now also for Santi. De la Cruz said he has already coordinated with all regional, provincial, municipal, and barangay disaster coordinating councils on the need for early evacuation and pre-positioning of rescue boats and other facilities. “If they will not follow our orders on pre-emptive evacuation, we will force them,” he said. As of midnight, Mirimae has made landfall on the east coast of Luzon. The storm is moving at fast pace and on course with the eye believed to be passing over Metro Manila the capitol before dawn.