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 on Monday.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services, severe tropical storm Mangkhut (international name) was spotted 2,745 kilometers east of Southern Luzon and may enter the PAR on Wednesday.
“Everyone in the government working during disasters is preparing for this supertyphoon,” Presidential Spokesman Harry L. Roque Jr. said in a Palace briefing.
Roque said the Department of Social Welfare and Development is ready to provide humanitarian assistance and has already prepositioned relief goods in their respective local governments.
“We won’t be transporting goods in areas that may be affected because there are already prepositioned goods in those areas,” Roque said.
“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.
“We cannot prevent disasters like supertyphoons, but we can minimize the damage brought about by disasters by being prepared,” Roque said.
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 and 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 (September 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.