TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) - - Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMC) in the northern part of Cagayan, coastal towns of Isabela and in the municipalities of Batanes are now conducting pre-emptive evacuations as typhoon 'Egay' is moving closer to far North Luzon area. 

Sunshine Asuncion, civil defense officer of the Office of Civil Defense Region 2, said there were already 48 families with 171 individuals evacuated from the municipalities of Divilacan and Maconacon in Isabela, and from the towns of Amulung, Alcala and Santa Ana in Cagayan. 

"The municipalities which  are now experiencing heavy rains and light to moderate winds are now conducting pre-emptive evacuations with the help of rescue groups, uniformed personnel and other volunteer individuals," she said. 

The Municipal DRRM Officers of Calayan, Aparri, Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Peñablanca and Lallo assured that their evacuation centers are now activated and all necessities are prepared for the expected influx of evacuees. 

Ensign Lamie Manglugay of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also said they are strictly monitoring the implementation of the 'no sail' and 'no fishing' policy in all seaports and coastal zones of the region. 

"There are no recorded stranded passengers as of this time. Visitors and tourists were able to travel back to their respective areas before the typhoon was felt in the region," he said. 

Franco Lopez, assistant regional director of DSWD Region 2, said there were 81, 591 food packs prepositioned in the different municipalities, especially in the island and coastal municipalities of the region. 

"They can already start distributing these family food packs to those who are already affected by the typhoon, especially those in the evacuation centers or those who have evacuated to their relatives or friends," Lopez said. 

“We also have a P4 million standby fund that can be utilized in case of quick response and augmentation to severely affected communities in the region,” Lopez added. 

The provincial government of Cagayan declared suspension of classes and work at all levels today, except for those who are mandated to conduct response operations relative to the effects of the typhoon. 

In Batanes, Provincial DRRM Officer Ceasar Roldan Esdicul said the tradition of the Ivatans of putting window shutters or 'Tapangko', and tying up the roof of their houses or 'Kapanpet' were already done.

The provincial government also distributed materials to be utilized in securing their respective houses, including government facilities and structures. 

Esdicul also said they have enough food supply in the province. (BME/OTB/PIA Region 2)