In a decisive move to ensure public safety, officials from Mandaue City conducted visits to evacuation centers on Monday, November 24, 2025. This action forms a critical part of the city's preemptive measures against the impending threat of Tropical Depression Verbena, which is forecasted to bring intense rainfall to the region.
Proactive Measures for Resident Safety
The local government of Mandaue City initiated early, forced evacuations for residents living along the Butuanon and Mahiga rivers. This decision was reached following a meeting between Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” M. Ouano and the Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MCDRRMO).
Mayor Ouano emphasized that the current situation is markedly different from previous storms, particularly in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Tino. The earlier storm caused severe blockages in the city's drainage systems, significantly increasing flood risk. "This is what we discussed with the MCDRRMO. We really need to conduct a preemptive evacuation because this situation is different from the previous typhoon," the mayor stated.
"After Typhoon Tino, many of our drainage systems in Mandaue City were clogged, so even with just a little rain now, the flooding is severe," he added. The primary focus of the preemptive evacuation is the safety of residents, especially those in clusters near the Butuanon and Mahiga rivers.
Logistics and Ongoing Operations
The city has prepared all designated evacuation sites, which are already stocked with essential supplies including rice, canned goods, and other basic necessities. Learning from the challenges posed by Bagyong Tino, the city has adopted a community-centric approach for food provision.
"We have already stocked up. We learned from Typhoon Tino that not all ready-to-eat meals reach us at the right time, so the barangays will cook for their community if needed," Ouano explained.
While clearing operations have been temporarily suspended, daily garbage collection continues. The mayor confirmed that once weather conditions improve, clearing operations will resume with the aid of more than 20 heavy equipment units leased from private partners. The heavily affected barangays of Paknaan and Umapad are slated to receive smaller equipment after Verbena passes.
Weather Forecast and Call for Cooperation
Buddy Ybañez, head of the MCDRRMO, reported that the city is preparing for anticipated rainfall of 50 to 200 millimeters, with an Orange rainfall warning expected to bring an additional 100 to 200 mm. The drainage systems remain compromised with silt, further reducing their water absorption capacity.
"Our standard data shows about 9,000 households in Mandaue, and as Mayor Ouano said, those living very close to the Butuanon and Mahiga rivers will be given priority for preemptive evacuation," Ybañez said.
Mayor Ouano appealed for public cooperation, stressing that all measures are for the safety of the residents. "We are operating normally here in Mandaue City. We are just asking for everyone's cooperation because all of this is for their safety," he said. The city hopes the rains will be manageable, as Mandaue has not yet fully recovered from the damage left by Bagyong Tino.
