“MAWAR” yesterday intensified into a super typhoon anew as it headed for the Philippines after unleashing winds of up to 240 kph and torrential rain in Guam.
Mawar will be named “Betty” when it enters the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) either today or tomorrow.
The rain band of the super typhoon is forecast to affect the Batanes and Cagayan when it will be closest to these areas either on Monday or Tuesday.
As of 3 p.m, yesterday, Mawar was some 2,000 km east of southeastern Luzon, packing maximum winds of 195 kph near the center and gustiness of up to of to 240 kph. It was moving west northwestward at 15 kph.
Authorities continue to boost measures to mitigate the effects of the tropical cyclone.
President Marcos Jr. assured the public that all contingencies are in place. He said food packs have been prepositioned and response teams are on standby.
Mawar turned into a super typhoon at around 2 a.m. yesterday, or 16 hours after it weakened into a typhoon, said weather forecaster Rhea Torres of the
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Mawar first became a super typhoon last Tuesday but weakened into a typhoon the following day after going through the “eyewall replacement cycle.”
Torres said Mawar is expected to enter PAR on Friday night or Saturday morning. It is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon which will bring rains in the western sections of the country.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said it is ready to assist any local government unit in the metropolis and nearby areas.
MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said on standby for deployment is the MMDA’s Urban Search and Rescue Team, composed of 20 rescuers trained in water search and rescue operations. He said the rescuers are equipped with life vests, wet suits, boats, throw ropes, life buoys and water rescue helmets.
Among MMDA assets ready for dispatch are boats, life vests, rescue vehicles, and military trucks.
RESCUE UNITS
Armed Forces spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said the AFP has alerted all its search, rescue, and retrieval units to render assistance in areas that are expected to be affected by the typhoon.
“All unified commands and major services were already directed to muster and check the readiness of HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) equipment and assets; preposition HADR units; assist LGUs in evacuations; and participate in coordination meetings and planning activities,” said Aguilar.
“As such, vehicles and personnel are already being prepared to assist in the mandatory evacuation of residents in vulnerable areas. Air and naval assets are also on standby for deployment for future aerial assessment, transport, and evacuation operations,” added Aguilar.
Aguilar said some 12,000 military and CAFGU personnel and reservists “were alerted as first responders.”
He said 2,518 land transportation assets, 20 air assets, and 265 water assets will be deployed for the HADR operations.
“Additional troops and assets will be committed when necessary,” said Aguilar.
“We therefore call on the public to be vigilant and to take precautionary measures as advised by competent authorities. Let us all do our part in ensuring the safety not just of the affected communities but of our responders as well,” said Aguilar.
PREPOSITIONING
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council spokesman Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said agencies have begun prepositioning food and non-food items as early as Wednesday.
He said search and rescue teams and equipment are also being prepositioned.
He said local government units have been making their own preparations, including evacuation centers in case preemptive evacuation will be ordered.
Diego Mariano, chief of the Office of Civil Defense-Joint Monitoring Center, said rescue workers and responders are on alert.
“The DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) is also on standby for clearing operations,” said Mariano.
Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco said he has given instructions to mayors and barangay captains to urge residents to check their houses to ensure these can withstand the effects of Mawar.
Cayco said he told mayors and the barangays to inform residents living in coastal areas to prepare for possible evacuation. She said evacuation centers are ready to house evacuees.
“We have also prepositioned family food packs as far as Itbayat town… We have already sent 1,000 family food packs there, there are about 900 households there,” she said.
Cayco said construction materials are also available, ready to be distributed to those whose houses might be damaged.
A C-130 transport plane of the Air Force transported 850 boxes of family food packs to Batanes.
Ruelie Rapsing, chief of the Cagayan provincial disaster risk reduction management office, said the province is continuing its coordination with barangay officials to ensure readiness “especially because almost 70 percent of province of Cagayan is highly susceptible to flood and rain-induced landslides.”
He said officials of barangays that are susceptible to such hazards were told to “to bring their constituents to safer areas.”
“On the part of the provincial government, we have readied relief packs,” said Rapsing.
ALERT
Philippine Coast Guard deputy commandant for administration Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr said PCG units in areas that might be affected by Mawar will be placed on full alert status.
Punzalan said the PCG has advised shipping companies to ensure their vessels are taking shelter. He said the PCG will be implementing no-sail policy in areas that will be covered by wind signals from PAGASA.
“As of now, I think we have covered most (of the areas) where we need to prepare. We have had experiences in the past and they are being used now,” said Punzalan, adding PCG units are have preposition to strategic areas.
AFP Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) chief Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca ordered commanders of Nolcom units to “ensure that every soldier, sailor, airman, marine, and even reservist is ready to immediately respond should our constituents require our assistance.”
“In each Joint Task Force, there exist specialized Disaster Response Units that we activate and deploy proactively during times of calamity. This proactive approach ensures our responsiveness to the needs of the communities that may be affected. Our mandate to serve and protect our people remains unwavering, irrespective of the nature of the threat,” Buca said.
FARMERS, FISHERS
The Department of Agriculture (DA) advised farmers to harvest mature crops; secure seed reserves, planting materials and other farm inputs; relocate farm machineries and equipment to higher ground; and clear drainage in irrigation and rice paddies from obstructions to prevent flooding.
DA also asked livestock, pets and other non-food animal owners and caretakers to ensure that animals are housed in a safe and secured enclosure; provision and proper storage of adequate supply of feeds and drinking water; preparation of contact details of livestock buyers, haulers, slaughterhouses or transporters in case there is a need for emergency destocking and slaughter or disposal; and facilitate the movement or transport of animals in accordance with prevailing animal disease and control measures of the government.
The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) advised local government veterinary services, agriculturists and disaster risk reduction management offices to ensure spaces for livestock and other domestic animals of internally displace persons and if possible, establish a separate camp facility for animals.
BAI also ordered the preparation of facilities, food and water for these animals during the disasters until such time when they are able to return to their owner’s residences; and ensure care and safety of these animals.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources asked fisherfolk to ensure fishing boats, gears, paraphernalia and other machineries are positioned in a safe place; defer fishing activities until the weather condition improves; and secure fish cage, ponds and stocks. — With Jocelyn Montemayor, Jed Macapagal and Ashzel Hachero
