DILG Chief tells LGUs to prepare for typhoon “Maysak”

MANILA — Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Tuesday called on all local chief executives (LCEs) of Eastern Visayas and Southern Luzon provinces to stand guard and be ready for the expected entry of typhoon “Maysak” into the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday.

“Malayo pa lang ang bagyo, ready at listo na dapat tayo sa posibleng hagupit nito (While the typhoon is still far away, we should be ready and alert for its possible strength),” Roxas told provincial governors and mayors of cities and municipalities.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), typhoon “Maysak,” which will be called “Chedeng” upon entering the PAR, was last seen 2,300 km East of Mindanao with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 170 kph. It is also expected to move West Northwest at 23 kph.

According to the latest forecast, it might traverse the country, causing rains and gusty winds in some areas in Central and Eastern Visayas, Southern Luzon, and Bicol Region provinces on Saturday and Sunday. Metro Manila might experience rainshowers on those days.

Roxas, who currently sits as Vice Chairperson of the NDRRMC as DILG Secretary, echoed the department’s call for the disaster preparedness of all local government units (LGUs).

“Ang mga mayor ang (The mayors are the) first responders. They should man the command centers in their respective localities,” he said.

Aside from the expected entry of the typhoon on Wednesday, the DILG is also coordinating with the public safety cluster, composed of both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), to continue in providing assistance to citizens who are traveling in and out of Metro Manila and their home provinces during the Holy Week.