Government agencies have started their preparations ahead of the expected onslaught of Manwar, which is now a super typhoon outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
During its 4 PM weather forecast, the state weather bureau PAGASA said Super Typhoon named Mawar was last seen 2.285 kilometers East of Visayas. It has maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 230 km/h while it is heading northward at 15 km/h.
The super typhoon is expected to enter PAR by Friday or Saturday ad will be given the local name 'Bettty.'
Preparation underway
In a statement, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered its regional directors to keep in coordination with their Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils as well as all local government units (LGUs).
The agency reminded LGUs especially those residing in areas prone to hazards to always monitor PAGASA's advisories and bulletins on weather, typhoons, thunderstorms, rainfall, and flood. They were also directed to use the application HazardHunterPH to generate indicative hazard assessment reports on their respective areas.
Local DRRMCs should hold pre-disaster risk assessments for floods, flash floods, rain-induced landslides, debris flow, and strong winds, the DILG said
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD), meanwhile, has sent nearly 690,000 relief goods "everywhere in the country."
In a press briefing, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said their agency has worked with DSWD to determine which regions will be highly affected by the super typhoon.
So far, the agency is working on doubling the stockpile of food packs in the Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley, which is currently at around 30,000.
Gatchalian assured that there are enough funds for disaster response, along with the quick response fund from the national government.
On the other hand, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it mobilized quick response teams to the Cordillera Administrative Region and Ilocos Region.
The PCG is now imposing stricter inspection of boats, vessels, and other seacrafts to ensure their safety. Crew and fisherfolk are reminded to monitor updates on weather to avoid maritime accidents.
PCG’s search and rescue (SAR) assets have been prepositioned for easy deployment in case of possible flooding in affected areas.
PCG Auxiliary (PCGA) is preparing relief supplies and family packs that would be distributed to evacuation centers.
On Monday, the Department of Health also advised Filipinos to prepare for Mawar, encouraging them to contact local disaster and emergency risk teams for assistance in case of emergency.
It also advised the public to prepare an emergency go bag that includes ready-to-eat food, clothes, a first aid kit, tools, sleeping bags, and a COVID-19 protection kit, among others.
“In anticipation of the progress of this Tropical Storm, the DOH advises the public to prepare and report any untoward incident that may later be related to this weather disturbance,” it said.
