Mayor orders forced evacuation of residents

ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan ordered on Tuesday forced evacuation among residents near the Abacan River following lateral erosions due to heavy rains that destroyed and washed out several houses.

Pamintuan asked the city disaster office to evacuate residents in five barangays including Sapang Bato, Anunas, Malabanias, Ninoy Aquino and Balibago.

Deo Sambilay of the City Information Office (CIO) said the mayor, along with barangay officials and police officers evacuated the residents to safer grounds and other government centers due to the rising floodwaters in these areas.

PAMPANGA. Mayor Edgar Pamintuan leads the forced evacuation of residents living in barangays near the Abacan River. (Chris Navarro/AC-CIO)

PAMPANGA. Residents near the Abacan River were forced to evacuate the area. (Contributed photo)

As of Tuesday, more than 20 houses were destroyed along the Abacan River and hundreds of families were evacuated.

Pamintuan said his office, together with barangay leaders of affected villages, are continuously monitoring the situation because of the bad weather brought about by southwest monsoon.

The mayor’s office is providing relief goods, medicines, and other needs to evacuees, Sambilay said.

Balibago village chief Rodelio Mamac said no residents have been evacuated in his area, as of Tuesday, but the village’s disaster team is monitoring the situation.

Mamac said his rescue team is also prepared for any eventuality and that the barangay has sufficient supply of relief goods.

He said they are willing to assist other barangays in their evacuation and relief operations.