As Mawar gains strength: Government braces for typhoon

CEBU, Philippines —  President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the national government has been in constant contact with counterparts in the local government units as the country — particularly northern Luzon — prepares for strong winds and rain from supertyphoon 'Mawar.'

Marcos said the national government has already put personnel and resources on standby for disaster response.

Marcos told media after a program marking the anniversary of the Philippine Navy that local government units have been told to make their own preparations for the super typhoon, which is expected to hit peak strength of 220 kilometer-per-hour winds.

"So, what we are doing is we leave it to the LGUs right now to make the call on their specific steps," Marcos said in a mix of English and Filipino.

"But the national government will be there to assist," he also said.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, search, rescue and retrieval units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are already on alert for potential humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations.

Around 7,970 military personnel and 4,242 Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit militia members and 180 reservists have been designated first responders, PCO also said. The military has also put 2,518 land vehicles, 20 aircraft and 265 boats on standby for disaster response.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also said that response teams and equipment are already on standby.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Cagayan — among the areas expected to be most affected by 'Mawar' said in a report on TeleRadyo that coastal communities have been alerted and that preparations are under way. The PDDRMO of Batanes said that similar preparations are being done on the island province.

Marcos on Friday said that the national government is "in constant communication with the local governments to see what is the situation in their place — for when the typhoon has passed and the rains have subsided, we will see (what assistance they will need)."

Marcos has said in past disaster response operations that he would rather let LGUs and agencies do their work, adding going to calamity sites himself would distract from ongoing relief work.

“The national government is here to assist. We are in constant contact with the local governments para makita natin what is the situation in their place pagka nakadaan na ‘yung bagyo, pagka natapos na ‘yung mga ulan, mabawasan na ‘yung ulan,” Marcos said in a media interview following the 125th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Navy in Manila yesterday.

The chief executive made the remarks amid the approaching supertyphoon Mawar, which battered most of Guam recently.

Marcos stressed the need for close coordination as the said typhoon may cause heavy rains due to Habagat that will affect not only Southern Luzon but even Visayas and Mindanao.

“Dito sa bagyong ito…although dadaan lang north of the Philippines, apparently hihilahin niya ‘yung habagat para — and there is a chance na magkakaroon ng malakas na ulan pati hanggang — hindi lang southern Luzon, Visayas, pati baka Mindanao. Kaya’t we have already warned the LGUs to prepare in case of heavy rains and flooding,” the President added.

National government agencies, including the NDRRMC, earlier this week said they are expecting northern Luzon to bear the brunt of the typhoon.

“Nakapag-forward positioning kami ng mga relief goods doon sa areas na nakikita namin na aabutan ng bagyo, which is mostly northern Luzon,” Marcos said.

“We are in constant contact with them also to find out kung ano ‘yung kailangan nila, ano ‘yung nangyayari doon sa lugar nila and then, in that way, we will be able to respond properly. So, it’s a little different from the usual situation kung saan lang dumadaan ‘yung bagyo, ‘yun lang ang inaalala natin, pero iba itong nangyari dito kasi malakas, typhoon eh. Humihila siya ng mga weather pattern, pumasok dito sa Pilipinas. So that’s what we are looking out for,” added   Marcos.

The Presidential Communications Office also reported that Mawar has intensified over the Philippine Sea as it nears the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), bringing strong to typhoon-force winds that extend up to 550 kilometers from the center.

“In its weather advisory Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the eye of Mawar was last spotted at 1,740 km. east of southeastern Luzon at 3 a.m., still outside the PAR.”

The typhoon packs maximum sustained winds of 215 kph near the center and gusts of 265 kph, moving west at 20 kph.

Typhoon Mawar, to be given the local name ‘Betty’ once it enters PAR, is expected late Friday or early Saturday, according to the weather bureau.

Although Mawar could slightly weaken by Saturday, it is still expected to remain a super typhoon until early Monday. It is forecast to reach its peak intensity within 24 to 36 hours.

LILIOAN VISIT

President Marcos is also scheduled to be in Liloan for the grand launch of Pier 88 this afternoon.

Aside from PBBM, Vice President Sarah Duterte, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez are also expected to grace the event.

Deputy speaker Duke Frasco and his wife Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco are also expected during the grand launch. The power couple both served as mayors in Liloan before.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Liloan Mayor Alfew Frasco and Topline Group of Companies CEO Eugene Erik Lim are also set to attend the event.

As of presstime, there’s no advisory from the Philippine Information Agency-7 or from the PCO concerning the postponement of the event due to the typhoon.