Mayor Alfred Romualdez has appealed to residents of Tacloban, especially those living in areas prone to flooding and landslides, to evacuate immediately as the city braces for the possible impacts of Typhoon Tino.
Romualdez also urged the city’s more than 250,000 residents to remain indoors, either at home or in shelters, by 6 p.m. Monday, noting that the typhoon is expected to intensify by then. The city has already been experiencing moderate to strong rains brought by the weather disturbance on Monday afternoon.
‘If Tacloban will suffer devastation due to the typhoon, I will lock down the city. Only emergency vehicles will be allowed to enter,’ Romualdez warned in an online address to residents on Monday.
He said the lockdown measure would prevent looting and ensure public order, recalling how the city suffered lawlessness and disorder in the aftermath of Supertyphoon ‘Yolanda’ (Haiyan) in 2013.
The mayor said that residents who wish to leave the city before or after the typhoon would be allowed to do so, but reiterated that public safety is the top priority. He also instructed the police and the Army to assist in enforcing safety measures if necessary.
‘This is the time to go to our evacuation centers, especially for those living in danger zones. This is the time to be safe and alert. Please pay attention to official reports,’ Romualdez said.
He also reminded the public of the ongoing liquor ban, which will remain in effect until Tuesday, as part of precautionary measures to maintain safety and order during the storm.
As of Monday afternoon, Tacloban City, the regional center of Eastern Visayas, has been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 as Typhoon Tino continues to move closer to the region.
Local authorities have also prepositioned food supplies for the evacuees. Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, meanwhile, has started distributing food aid to Tacloban City and the other towns within the province’s first congressional district as residents hanker down to weather the storm