Mayor Enrique Gonzalez of Valencia, Negros Oriental, yesterday said his town will conduct a forced evacuation of residents in hazard-prone areas today as a pre-emptive measure against “Pablo”.

Gonzalez said the decision was made in a meeting with barangay captains in anticipation of heavy rains that could cause flashfloods and landslides in the town.

Valencia was among the hardest hit by tropical depression “Sendong” on December 17, 2011, and has not yet fully recovered from the raging flood that claimed several lives, displaced hundreds of families and destroyed properties and government infrastructure projects in Negros Oriental and other parts of the country.

He added that coordination is in place between the Valencia LGU and the Energy Development Corporation-Southern Negros Geothermal Plant, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and officials from Dumaguete City, nearby areas and government line agencies.

The barangay captains will be in the frontlines in identifying hazard prone areas and which families need to be evacuated at the earliest time, Gonzalez said, adding that flooding and landslides could occur in places earlier affected by “Sendong”.

If residents refuse to evacuate, he said he will direct barangay captains to enforce the law to prevent loss of lives.*JFP

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