Before Typhoon Pepito hit the Visayas, Bicol, and Central Luzon regions, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and other government agencies ordered the evacuation of coastal residents last Friday, November 15.
This was due to the threat of a storm surge caused by Typhoon Pepito.
He also emphasized the importance of informing the public about the dangers associated with typhoons.
He also instructed the DILG to provide all necessary information to LGUs and ensure their preparedness for the typhoon.
When the typhoon made landfall in Dipaculao, Aurora, the area was isolated for several days.
“I felt disheartened because when I left them on Friday, everything was still fine. But after the typhoon, this is what happened, it was devastated,” said Mayor Danilo Tolentino.
According to an initial assessment by DPWH Region 3, the damage to infrastructure across the region reached approximately 320 million pesos.
In Aurora province alone, the typhoon caused damages amounting to more than 34.8 million pesos.
Overall, the DSWD distributed nearly 2 million food packs to those severely affected by Typhoon Pepito nationwide.
**VANESSA BUGTONG
