Marcos satisfied with typhoon preps, orders sustained coordination

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

Para sa agaran at tuloy-tuloy na paghahatid ng tulong, ipinag-utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa mga ahensya ang paglapit ng suporta sa mga apektado ng bagyong Nando, gayundin ang pagpapatibay ng paghahanda para sa paglakas ng bagyong Opong. (PCO Photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed satisfaction with the government’s disaster readiness but ordered agencies to sustain close monitoring and inter-agency coordination as northern Luzon reels from Super Typhoon Nando and braces for Severe Tropical Storm Opong.

Marcos presided over a situation briefing with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Wednesday to assess the impact of Nando and prepare for Opong, which is forecast to further intensify before making landfall over the Bicol Region on Friday afternoon.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., who also chairs the NDRRMC, said the President was satisfied with the extent of preparation, including the prepositioning of relief goods and critical equipment.

“The interagency coordinating cell is working really well. The President was satisfied with the extent of preparation and the prepositioning of needed goods and supplies, particularly in Batanes,” he told reporters after the briefing.

Teodoro noted that while agencies were ready, parts of Northern Luzon remain without electricity.

He said the government is servicing some 7,000 evacuees, with damage assessment still ongoing due to continuing inclement weather.

He also assured that sufficient funds are available to support response operations.

Nando has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility but continues to affect parts of the country after lashing Northern Luzon.

Meanwhile, Opong, the 15th cyclone to hit the archipelago this year, is forecast to begin moving northwestward while approaching Eastern Visayas.

According to the 5 p.m. bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration on Wednesday, Opong has intensified into a severe tropical storm.