MANILA — Just weeks after deadly storm Kristine’s onslaught, Laurel town in Batangas prepared to conduct forced evacuation of residents in high-risk areas on Friday ahead of typhoon Pepito. 

Laurel Mayor Lyndon Bruce met with local officials to plan the evacuation of residents from Boso-Boso, Gulod, Bugaan West, Bugaan East, Poblacion 5, Poblacion 3, Poblacion 2, Poblacion 4, and Leviste, said the town’s disaster office head Venus Alilio. 

"Kami po ay doble na ang paghahanda  dahil sa nangyari sa Kristine ay  kumbaga ang mga tao ay talagang naging aware… Kami po ay naghahanda para maiwasan na ang masamang insidente,” said Alilio.

Some 500 families will be brought to seven evacuation centers, while about 2,000 families will temporarily stay with relatives.

Those who refuse to evacuate will be taken by the police.

"Ifo-forced evacuate kasama po ang mga pulis at ang mga uniform personnel para po talagang sila ay maialis sa delikadong lugar,” added Alilio.

Barangay Poblacion 3 residents in Laurel, Batangas cross a river to gather aid on October 26, 2024 after a bridge collapsed due to torrential rain brought by severe tropical storm Kristine. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

In Barangay Bugaan West, Lolita Sta. Ana recalled her family’s frightening experience when floodwaters rushed into their home during Kristine.” 

In just five minutes, their house was submerged in five feet of water, she said. Lolita said they managed to get to the roof of a nearby church with her grandchild, where they were rescued.

As Pepito approached Luzon, Sta. Ana said she felt anxious. 

"Grabe dito ang baha kapag hindi ka umalis mamamatay ka dito. Nakakatakot talaga ang lugar na ito,” she said. 

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To prepare for their evacuation, she placed the clothes they salvaged from the previous storm inside sacks and plastic bags.

She said that they planned to evacuate early and temporarily stay at her child's house in another barangay.  

"Takot na ako dito kapag naulan eh baka madisgrasya. Sabi bukas pa naman ang dating ng bagyo kaya nagpi-prepare na kami," Sta. Ana said. 

At least 10 people died in Laurel, Batangas, when Kristine spawned floods and landslides last month. The storm caused over P1 billion pesos worth of damage to the town.  

Families in Batangas begin rebuilding lives after devastation left by 'Kristine'