MANILA – Malacañang warned the public on Tuesday to take precautionary measures as Severe Tropical Storm Maring (international name Kompasu) is forecasted to generate heavy rainfall over areas of Luzon.
“We ask the public to continue to take precautionary measures, observe minimum public health standards, and cooperate with their respective local authorities in case of an evacuation,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press statement.
As the ongoing operations for “Maring” progress away from extreme Northern Luzon, Roque stressed that the Palace is constantly monitoring the situation.
Local government units (LGUs) are working closely with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police, and the Bureau of Fire Protection to ensure immediate response operations in affected regions, according to him.
Roque stated that as of 6 a.m. Monday, around 465 families or 1,585 people have been proactively evacuated in Cagayan Valley and Eastern Visayas.
“Rescue personnel and teams from the local government units are on the scene as we assure all requests for rescue and assistance are being acted upon by all relevant agencies,” he said.
According to Roque, who cited a report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, power and water supply restoration, as well as clearing operations of roads, are continuing in areas hit by “Maring”.
He also stated that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has over PHP128 million in standby funds and around 373,737 family food packs worth more than PHP219 million available since Sunday.
“Maring” was last spotted 230 kilometers west of Calayan, Cagayan, according to the 8 a.m. weather bulletin released by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
“Maring” packs maximum sustained winds of up to 100 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 125 kph.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) Signal No. 2 is raised over Batanes, Cagayan including the Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of Isabela (Palanan, Divilacan, Maconacon, Ilagan City, Tumauini, Cabagan, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Quirino, Gamu, Roxas, Mallig, Quezon), Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Abra, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.
TCWS Signal No. 1 is hoisted over the rest of Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, the northern portion of Bataan (Samal, Morong, Dinalupihan, Abucay, Orani, Hermosa), and the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Polillo Islands.
“Maring” is expected to bring heavy to intense rains over Ilocos Region, Benguet, Ifugao, Abra, and Mountain Province.
Moderate to heavy rains may prevail over Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, and the rest of the Cordillera Administrative Region.
Light to moderate, with at times heavy rains, may also be experienced over Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, and the rest of Central Luzon.
Flash floods and rain-induced landslides are probable, particularly in locations that are highly or extremely vulnerable to these hazards.
