ANGELES CITY — Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. on Wednesday morning ordered an evacuation of all households near riverbanks and creeks throughout the city due to heavy rain brought by southwest monsoon, which has been intensified by Typhoon "Carina."

Lazatin instructed Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer (ACDRRMO) Rudy Simeon to lead the said evacuation.

The mayor stressed that in the event of an emergency like this, the city government, through the ACDRRMO, is ready to respond to any rescue, evacuation and clearing operations.

"Mainam na maging alerto at handa po tayo, kaya pinapairal natin ang preemptive evacuation (It's better for us to be alert and ready, so we initiated a preemptive evacuation)," Lazatin said.

This is in line with the latest weather bulletin from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, where Angeles City has been placed under Orange Warning.

According to Simeon, the ACDRRMO is closely monitoring the major river channels in Angeles City, the Abacan River and Sapang Balen Creek.

The ACDRRMO is in continuous coordination with the 33 Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils for any alerts in case of Typhoon Carina's onslaught.

Lazatin wants to ensure everyone's safety in the event of emergencies like strong winds toppling down certain obstructions.

Meanwhile, upon the orders of Mayor Lazatin, members of the City Health Office (CHO) led by Verona Guevarra were sent to the city's Main Evacuation Center in Barangay Mining to conduct free checkups on the evacuees.

Earlier, the mayor instructed the CHO that doctors shall be assigned and on standby at the evacuation center for monitoring.

Apart from this, the city government also readied stockpiles of food for the evacuees, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Edna Duaso and General Services Office led by Evangeline Malonzo.