The national and local governments are on high alert as they closely monitor the trajectory of Super Typhoon Leon following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure the safety of affected residents.
In a special report, Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco confirmed that evacuation efforts are underway for residents expected to be impacted by the typhoon.
Food packs have been distributed, providing sustenance for the next three days, she said.
Cayco said healthcare and social welfare personnel were deployed to evacuation centers.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DMRG) Diana Rose Cajipe said they prepositioned nearly 2,000 family food packs for Batanes residents.
Cajipe said an additional 5,500 family food packs will be transported by a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel from Pangasinan to Batanes as soon as weather permits.
“We will coordinate with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) kasi kapag nag clear mas mabilis po tayo makapagpalipad through C130, definitely magdadala na tayo kaagad sa Batanes,” Cajipe said.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said they are ready and have standby assets deployed in areas affected by Leon.
Padilla said they are closely working with other government agencies, including the DSWD for the transport of needed supplies and relief to affected residents, especially in Northern Luzon.
“Andito po ang inyong sandatahang lakas ng Pilipinas, tutulong po kami sa lahat ng aming makakaya. Huwag po tayong mag-panic, bagkus magtulungan po tayo para malampasan po itong hamon na hinaharap natin ngayon,” Padilla said.
In its latest bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Super Typhoon Leon maintains its strength while moving northwestward near Batanes, which is currently under Signal No. 4.
PAGASA’s Loriedin Galicia urged residents in affected areas, especially those in the coastal barangays, to move to safer ground and continue monitoring weather updates. |PND
