By Jelly Musico/PNA
MANILA — Malacañang on Friday encouraged the public to be vigilant as Tropical Depression “Usman” maintained its course and is heading toward eastern Visayas.
“We encourage citizens to be vigilant and monitor the situation through news and announcements from pertinent national and local government agencies,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement. “We pray for the safety of everyone,” he added.
In its latest forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said “Usman” may make landfall over eastern Samar Friday night (Dec. 28).
According to the Situation Report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), as of 6 a.m. Friday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has a stockpile of family food packs and non-food items, and standby funds amounting to PHP1.3 billion.
Panelo said the Department of Health has also reported a total amount of PHP7.3 million of logistics prepositioned in Regions VI, VIII and XI.
The weather bureau said “Usman”, which may intensify into a tropical storm, is expected to bring moderate to heavy rain that may trigger flooding and landslides in the Visayas, Bicol region, Mindoro provinces, Marinduque, Romblon and Quezon.
At 10 a.m., the center of “Usman” was last spotted at 230 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
