As 'Chedeng' nears, Palace asks immediate evacuation in Panay, Negros

As tropical storm Chedeng (international name: Songda) changed its track, Malacañang on Tuesday appealed to residents in low-lying and landslide prone areas, particularly in Panay and Negros region, to evacuate immediately. In a statement, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda Edwin said “We appeal to those in low-lying and landslide prone areas to cooperate with local authorities if and when they are asked to evacuate. This is for your own safety." Lacierda said President Benigno Simeon Aquino III has instructed concerned agencies to do everything to minimize loss of life and damage to properties because of the storm. “President Aquino is closely monitoring the preparations for the coming of Chedeng, Lacierda said in a press statement. Based on the report of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to Malacañang, as of 4:00 am, Chedeng changed track from western to northwestern, going toward Samar, Leyte and portions of the Bicol region. If it continues on this track, Panay Island and Negros, already water-soaked from tropical storm Bebeng, will also be affected, Lacierda said. Flood-prone areas The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has already identified the flood prone areas and alerted local government units to take necessary precautions, including possible evacuation, said Lacierda. The NDRRMC has also alerted the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) which has jurisdiction over the areas concerned, as well as the 3rd and 8th infantry batallions and the Central Command of the Armed Forces in Cebu. The Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCD) have been deployed to prevent ships and small fishermen from going out to see at critical times. Relief goods Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), on the other hand, has already prepositioned goods in the areas lying in the projected path of Chedeng. “As has been the practiced of this administration, forewarned is forearmed is the underlying strategy of our disaster response. We are keeping the public updated so they can take the necessary precautions," Lacierda said. He added prepositioning of manpower and resources will allow the government to secure the residents and respond in an effective and timely manner. Over 1,000 stranded passengers Meanwhile, at least 1,031 passengers have been stranded in Bicol ports affected by strong winds and big waves caused by tropical storm Chedeng, the PCG said. PCG commandant Admiral Ramon Liwag said most of those stranded may have been aboard ships caught near ports where Signal No. 1 was raised. "Maaring on the way sila kaya naabutan ng bagyo," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. Citing an update as of noon, Liwag said those stranded were aboard eight vessels in Tabaco (Albay), Pilar (Sorsogon), and Bulan (Sorsogon). Most of the stranded were heading from Tabaco going to Virac in Catanduanes, he said. "Kaninang umaga meron agad stranded," he said. Liwag, citing a PCG policy, had banned ships weighing less than 1,000 gross tons from leaving port or sailing in areas under Storm Signal No. 1. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration had placed Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon in Bicol under Signal No. 1. - VVP, GMA News