Teodoro instructs forced evacuations in unreachable areas as Typhoon Marce nears

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has instructed local government units to implement forced evacuations in areas unreachable by responders as Typhoon Marce approaches, emphasizing that the decision on whether or not to enforce such evacuations is left to local officials.

Teodoro reminded during a press briefing that regional directors and localities should provide direct directives based on accurate information for forced evacuations if necessary.

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga has provided a list of flood-prone, landslide-prone, and high-wave areas to the Office of Civil Defense for distribution to local officials to aid in decision-making.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has deployed 305 search, rescue, and retrieval teams in Northern Luzon and is ready with aircraft and vessels to transport relief goods as needed.

According to DSWD Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe, the agency has prepared 100,000 family food packs using predictive analytics tools to anticipate needs along Typhoon Marce's path.