ILOILO — The Iloilo provincial government has ordered preemptive evacuations in all landslide-, flood-, and coastal hazard zones as Tropical Depression “Verbena” moves closer to Western Visayas, with officials setting a goal of zero casualty ahead of the storm’s projected impact.
Retired Police Colonel Cornelio Salinas, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said the order is being enforced ahead of the weather system’s expected entry by 2 p.m. today, November 25, stressing the need for residents and local councils to act early.
“So this early dapat maging alerto na ang aton mga pumoluyo, maging ang council members para malikawan naton casualty. Ang aton target is zero casualty,” Salinas said.
Storm Signal No. 1 up
Iloilo province is currently under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1. Salinas warned that many residents tend to focus on securing belongings or livestock instead of evacuating immediately — a habit that places them at greater risk.
“Pagsiling nga preemptive evacuation, pag-ara sa hazard-prone areas get out ka na. Signal No. 1 kita so kinahanglan aware kita sa puersa sang bagyo nga ini,” he added.
Salinas said the province hopes to replicate the outcome during recent typhoons “Tino” and “Uwan”, when Iloilo recorded minimal damage and only two casualties, far lower than expected thanks to early preparations.
Gov. Defensor orders system-wide checks
In anticipation of heavy rainfall of 100 to 200 millimeters, which may trigger “red rainfall warning” conditions, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. has directed all municipal disaster risk reduction and management offices (MDRRMOs) and member agencies to conduct a “system check” of their communication lines, warning systems, and logistics.
The governor also instructed electric cooperatives to prepare for possible power interruptions, especially in evacuation centers.
“Very particular gid kita sa aton nga power sources… nga kinahanglan ang ila quick response team, i-supplement man nila ang requirement nga power generation sa evacuation centers kay basi indi masarangan sang ila quick action team,” Salinas noted.
Upstream towns told to reassess hazard maps
Local government units (LGUs) in Calinog, Lambunao, Janiuay, Maasin, Leon, and Alimodian were ordered to revalidate hazard maps and closely monitor river systems for rising water levels, ensuring timely alerts are issued to downstream municipalities.
Verbena’s path
According to the 8 a.m. bulletin on Monday of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration:
* Verbena may slightly intensify before making landfall over northeastern Mindanao on Monday afternoon, Nov. 24.
* It will cross Visayas and northern Palawan from Nov. 24–26.
* It may emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Wednesday morning and gradually strengthen into a tropical storm./PN
