Around 400 families sought refuge at the Delpan Evacuation Center in Manila on Monday evening, November 10, as strong waves and rising tides forced residents from coastal barangays to leave their homes.
According to the Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW), evacuees include about 200 families from Barangay 20 in Isla Puting Bato and another 200 families from Barangay 275 in Parola, Binondo—both flood-prone areas along Manila Bay.
“Bago pa man talaga nag-landfall ‘yung bagyo, naka-ready na po ang Delpan Evacuation Center para po sa mga pamilya na ililikas,” said Raquel Tambuli, officer-in-charge of District Welfare Office III. “Gumawa na po kami ng preemptive evacuation… pero karamihan po sa kanila, umalis lang talaga nung bumuhos na ang malakas na ulan.”
Preemptive evacuation began earlier in the afternoon, but some residents only left after floodwaters and waves reached their homes around 6:30 p.m. The evacuation center, which can accommodate 2,000 individuals or 400 families, was nearing full capacity by nightfall.
Evacuees were provided with modular tents, mats, blankets, and hot meals. “Pagpasok po nila ng evacuation center, talagang nagserve na po kami sa kanila ng hot meal. At dahil halos wala silang dalang gamit, pinoprovide po namin sila ng tent at mga banig,” Tambuli added.
Most residents evacuated from makeshift houses built directly above the water in Isla Puting Bato, while those from Parola came from areas closer to the coastal bay. Among them was 85-year-old Lydia Olimberio, who fled when strong waves pounded her small wooden house. “Pagsimula ng alon na malakas, umalis ako sa bahay namin. Ang asawa ko na lang ang naiwan kasi hindi niya kayang buhatin ang mga gamit namin,” she said.
Authorities continue to monitor remaining households at risk from high tides. “Hopefully, basta tumila lang ang ulan, unti-unti na rin silang makakabalik sa kanilang mga tahanan,” Tambuli said, adding residents were reminded to prioritize safety before returning home.
Super Typhoon Uwan made landfall at around 9:10 p.m. on November 9 in Dinalungan, Aurora.