A FORCED evacuation of over a hundred families endangered by typhoon ‘Rolly’ was carried out by the Manila city government on orders of Mayor Isko Moreno, who specifically directed that the evacuation must be done still in full compliance of the basic health protocols against COVID-19.
Moreno gave the directive to Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office Director Arnel Angeles, who said the families evacuated were from Parola, Isla Puting Bato, Katuparan, Baseco, Happyland and Smokey Mountain.
The affected families were brought by Angeles to the assigned evacuation centers where social welfare department chief Re Fugoso and her team took over by providing them with hot meals and other needs while they remain in their temporary shelters.
Moreno also ordered the evacuees swabbed so that those who may be asymptomatic carriers will be separated and to prevent possible transmission.
The Rosauro Almario elementary school was used to accommodate evacuees from Parola and Isla Puting Bato. Those from Barangays 105 in Happyland were taken to the Amado V. Hernandez Elementary school while those from Smokey Mountain were brought to the basketball court. Covered courts and sports complexes in the areas where evacuations took place were utilized as temporary shelters for the displaced families.
The homeless people being cared for at the Canonigo covered court will be transferred to Roxas while the ones staying in Rasac covered court will remain there.
Moreno also directed city engineer Armand Andres to utilize all logistical resources and engineer Randy Sadac, to ensure that all street lights must be kept on and to check on electric cables that may have gone haywire.
He also called on the residents to report to their barangays or City Hall authorities any incident that may threaten their safety like fallen trees or loose power cables, so that they may be acted upon immediately.
The mayor also urged barangay authorities to help the city government maintain health protocols like wearing of face masks and physical distancing in the evacuation centers, saying safety against COVID-19 is still top priority.
