Gov. Arthur Yap has ordered pre-emptive evacuation in all high-risk areas in the Province of Bohol as part of the continuing efforts to prepare for Typhoon Odette which is forecasted to hit Bohol tonight.
The PAGASA has already raised Alert Signal Number 4 in the Eastern Portion of Bohol namely the towns of Anda, Talibon, Trinidad, San Miguel, Dagohoy, Pilar, Sierra Bullones, Jagna, Duero, Guindulman, Candijay, Mabini, Alicia, Ubay, Carlos P. Garcia and Bien Unido while in the rest are under alert signal number 3 as of 11 am today.
According to CNN Weather News, Typhoon Odette has strengthened into a Category 4 Hurricane as it moves closer to our landmass. The possibility of Typhoon Odette to become a super typhoon is imminent.
Thus, Governor Art Yap has ordered all mayors to implement pre-emptive and Forced evacuation protocol.
Upon the directive of the Governor, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fire Protection have helped in the evacuation efforts in the island barangays. The Philippine National Police was also mobilized to evacuate the low-lying areas and other areas which were identified to be flood and landslide-prone.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has already reported cancellations of incoming flights to Bohol, to include flights coming from Manila and Davao.
Since Yesterday, Sea trips to Bohol were already canceled.
As agreed yesterday during the command conference of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) which was presided by Yap, public schools shall be utilized as temporary evacuation centers in their respective towns.
Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Bohol and Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWD) have started to prepare for relief operations. A total of 7,000 food packs are now on standby and ready coming from the SWAD and additional 1,000 food packs coming from the OPSWD, according to Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRMMO) head Dr. Anthony Damalerio.
As of 2 pm today, 3,575 families or around 6,000 individuals have been pre-emptively and forcedly evacuated and are now situated in their respective evacuation centers, according to Provincial AdministratornKathyrin Fe Pioquinto. The Local Government Units (LGU) were tasked to immediately address the needs of the evacuees.
The Governor has also tasked PDRRMO and the Pioquinto, to coordinate with National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the focal person or in charge of all dams in the province to know the status and water levels of these dams.
Gov. Yap has also ordered the PDRRMO to apprise the public regularly of the important information relating to the preparations and response to Typhoon Odette.