MANILA — The Philippine government is ready to assist evacuees following a weather report that a potential strong typhoon is threatening to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) this week, Malacañang said Monday.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services (Pagasa), severe tropical storm “Mangkhut” (international name) was spotted 2,745 kilometers east of Southern Luzon and may may enter the PAR on Wednesday.
“Lahat naman po ng taong gobyerno na gumagalaw sa mga panahon ng aberya ay naghahanda na rin po para dito po sa malaking bagyong ito (Everyone in the government working during disasters is preparing for this supertyphoon),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.
Roque said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is ready to provide humanitarian assistance and has already prepositioned relief goods in their respective local governments.
“Hindi na po tayo magdadala ng goods sa mga lugar na pupuwedeng tamaan dahil meron nang naka preposition na mga goods diyan (We won’t be transporting goods in areas that may be affected because there are already prepositioned goods in those areas),” Roque said.
“Siguro po ang sisiguraduhin nalang e dadagdagan yung mga goods sa lugar na ie-expect nating dadaanan ng super typhoon (Perhaps, what we can assure is that we will provide additional goods in areas that may be affected by the supertyphoon),” he added.
Roque, meanwhile, urged Filipinos, especially those living near seas, to find temporary homes to stay this early to avoid overcrowding in evacuation or resettlement areas.
“Hindi po namin mapipigilan yung mga aberya gaya ng mga supertyphoon pero mababawasan po natin ang danyos na dinudulot ng mga ganitong aberya sa pamamagitan ng pagiging handa (We cannot prevent disasters like supertyphoons, but we can minimize the damage brought about by disasters by being prepared),” Roque said.
“I-anticipate na po natin ang mga puwedeng mangyari para po wag na kayo manatili sa mga bahay-bahay ninyo (Let’s anticipate what will happen so that you won’t remain in your respective homes),” he added.
He also urged the public to prepare emergency kits, stock up on food, water, and protect their possessions in case of flooding.
Roque said the state of readiness of all the agencies responding to calamities will be discussed during the next Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 11).
“Magkakaroon po kami ng (There will be a) Cabinet meeting on Tuesday and I’m sure the supertyphoon will be discussed. The state of readiness of all the agencies responding to calamities will be discussed,” Roque said. (Azer Parrocha/PNA)
