Families evacuate in Quezon City ahead of Super Typhoon Pepito. ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — As the threat of Super Typhoon Pepito looms, residents of Barangay Roxas in Quezon City went to evacuation centers Saturday evening to prepare for potential flooding, which they fear could reach the second floor of their homes as in past typhoons.

Among the evacuees was Mila Gappe, 68, who arrived at the Multipurpose Gymnasium at 6:30 p.m. with her sister and grandson right after barangay officials made door-to-door announcements that evacuation centers were open.

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“Kahit sanay ka na dito sa baha, talagang takot ka pa rin kaya kailangan alerto ka lang,” Gappe said.

(Even if you’re used to flooding here, the fear is still there, so you need to stay alert.)

Gappe left early to assist her sister, Lucy Hernandez, who has mobility challenges, in safely reaching the evacuation center.

Hernandez, 79, shared that the successive storms have repeatedly disrupted her physical therapy and delayed her recovery.

“Andami kong pinapa-checkup kasi bumagsak na ako three times. Nung scheduled ako ng October 24, di ako nakapunta so nae-extend imbes na nache-checkup ka,” Hernandez said.

(I’ve had so many checkups because I’ve fallen three times. When I was scheduled for therapy on October 24, I couldn’t go, so my recovery kept getting delayed.)

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FAMILIES SHARE TENTS

As of midnight on Sunday, 86 families or 291 individuals had taken refuge at the gymnasium, which was equipped with basic supplies and rescue equipment, including food, life jackets, solar-powered lights, and rescue boats.

However, with only 80 tents available, many families were forced to share accommodations.

“Challenge namin, nag-agawan sa tent. Kasi maaga pa lang, marami na agad tao dito. Ang nangyari, first come first serve,” Gappe said.

(Our challenge is that there was a scramble for tents. A lot of people were already here early, so the tents became first come, first served.)

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According to Jennifer Palcat, a barangay staff member, when the gymnasium reaches capacity, evacuees are relocated to General Roxas Elementary School, where eight other families, or 32 individuals, are currently staying.

“No choice po kami. Pag puno na po dito, doon na po kami agad ipinapasa sa second evacuation area,” Palcat said.

(We have no choice. Once this place is full, they are immediately transferred to the second evacuation area.)

LAGARIAN CREEK

Although floodwaters have yet to rise, Roxas residents expressed frustration over the lack of maintenance of the Lagarian Creek, which they believe contributes to severe flooding.

“Sa tagal ko na dito sa Roxas, ang nirereklamo usually yung ilog. Hindi malinis-linis. Kaya tataas ng tataas (yung tubig) dahil tambak na yun (ng basura),” Gappe said.

(I’ve been living in Roxas for so long, and the usual complaint is about the creek. It’s never cleaned, so the water keeps rising because it’s filled with trash.)

But Barangay Councilor Ynon Benn Ferreras pointed out that efforts are being made to address the issue.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has installed trash traps, and the Department of Sanitation and Cleanup Works of Quezon City conducts quarterly cleanups along the waterways.

“Yung ilog na ‘yan, hindi lang sa’min. Iba-iba yung dumadaloy na tubig diyan from other areas. Minsan, dahil nasa gitna kami, doon lang nababagsak ang mga basura. That’s why, with the help of DENR, we pursued to install the trash trap para malinis lahat ng mga basura,” Ferreras said.

(Water from other areas flows into the creek, and sometimes, because we’re in the middle, all the trash ends up here. That’s why, with the help of DENR, we’ve installed trash traps to help clear the trash.)

Ferreras also urged residents who have not evacuated to do so before it’s too late.

The Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QCDRRMO) recommended suspending weekend classes and other school activities for public and private schools on Nov. 17 as Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was issued for Metro Manila.

MALABON ON RED ALERT

The Malabon Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has also placed Malabaon under “red alert” status in anticipation of the effects of the super typhoon.

The city government has met with local leaders to make sure disaster response plans are in place and to conduct an assessment meeting on flood-prone areas.

Emergency response teams have also been deployed "to every corner of the city," and relief supplies are already being prepared, the Malabon government said in a press release.

MDRRMO said that 13 boats and five tents have been sent to different barangays in case these are needed.

The city has also opened 13 evacuation sites to serve as temporary shelters.

Eighteen families have already evacuated Panghulo Elementary School after pre-emptive evacuation was implemented in Barangay Panghulo.

The City Social Welfare and Development Department initially prepared 200 food packs with canned goods, water, coffee, rice, and noodles to  be distributed to the evacuees, it also said.

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