Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno on Thursday reassured that comprehensive systems are in place to ensure the safety of residents in areas affected by Super Typhoon Leon.

“Handa naman ang pamahalaan dahil nakalatag naman talaga ang mga programa natin – bago dumating at pag-dumating na ‘yung bagyo o kalamidad at pag-alis ng kalamidad o ng bagyo. May mga sistema na tayo,” Nepomuceno said in a special report on PTV.

Nepomuceno said they are following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on a whole-of-government approach to ensure the safety of Filipinos.

He said uniformed personnel, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), form the core of the government’s disaster response.

“Buo ang ating sistema. Buo rin ‘yung tinatawag nating command and control. Habang nangyayari at pagkatapos nung kalamidad – deri-deritso ang pagtutulungan ng lahat ng ahensya ng ating pamahalaan,” he added.

In response to President Marcos’ order, relevant agencies immediately convened to monitor Leon and ensure the safety of the residents, particularly in Northern Luzon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Leon, with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 240 km/h, maintains its strength while moving northwestward near Batanes.

Currently, Batanes is under Signal No. 4 based on the latest bulletin of the PAGASA. | PND