By Jason de Asis
BALER, Aurora, April 4 (PNA) –Tourists in this capital town of Aurora on Saturday morning moved out and returned to their respective places while outdoor activities along the beaches here were totally banned as typhoon “Chedeng” was expected to make a landfall in this province.
Gabriel Llave, chief of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO, ) said the move was in compliance with the advisory of the municipal government, declaring no outdoor activities zone along the beaches here.
Llave said the prohibited outdoor activities included swimming, surfing, diving and snorkeling, all types of water sports, boating and fishing, and picnics.
Likewise, he said the MDRRMO has declared pre-emptive evacuation to some to 4,373 households residing in high risk areas in various barangays in this town.
He said that pre-emptive evacuation was properly implemented.
“Tourists who will arrive today will not be accepted by the owners of hotels, resorts, inns and the like for the safety of the tourists and will be advised to return in their respective places,” Llave said.
He said that in case of refusal and even to some residents, force evacuation will be implemented.
To ensure zero tourists along beach, Llave said the personnel of Aurora Provincial and Public Safety of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were now guarding the resorts.
The police and the 56th infantry “Tatag” Battalion, Philippine Army have been on red alert and on standby and being readied for any instruction from the MDRRMO.
Llave also said that a pre-disaster risk assessment (PDRA) had been conducted and alerted all barangays to make the necessary actions.
He said that the PDRA was an innovation wherein disaster risks that might confront an area or community were analyzed based on actual demography and current scientific data gathered regarding a weather disturbance such as typhoon Chedeng.
Meanwhile, member-agencies were required to report their existing resources both in manpower and equipment including deployment plans. (PNA)