Malacañang warns public of ‘Hanna’ effects despite PAR exit

MANILA, Philippines – The Palace on Sunday cautioned the public on the possible effects of typhoon “Hanna” in other parts of the country even though there was no typhoon landfall.

"Patuloy po nating pinag-iingat ang ating mga kababayan sa maaaring epekto ng mga pag-ulan dahil bagamat umalis na po ang international typhoon, ‘yung ‘Soudelor’ o typhoon ‘Hanna,’ ay nararamdaman pa ang epekto nito sa maraming bansa. Kaya ibayong pag-iingat ang ating ipinapanukala sa ating mga kababayan hinggil dito,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in an interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Although typhoon Hanna already exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the weather bureau on Sunday afternoon said a thunderstorm is still affecting Rizal, Laguna and Bataan, while light to moderate rains are still affecting Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, southern Zambales, Quezon (Gen. Nakar, Infanta, Real, Polillo Islands) and a portion of Batangas which may continue for two to three hours.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration’s advisory asked the public to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, strong winds, lightning and possible flash floods.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said that typhoon Hanna caused heavy flooding in the province of Maguindanao.

“Mayroon pong walong munisipalidad na apektado ng pagbaha, at ang mga pamilyang apektado nito ay may bilang na 12,340 o humigit-kumulang 60,700 persons bagamat wala naman pong naiulat na casualties,” Coloma said.

Aside from Philippine residents, the government is also asking Filipinos in Taiwan where typhoon Soudelor made a landfall to take caution to avoid casualties.

Coloma assured the public that there are no reported Filipino casualties in Taiwan but the the Department of Foreign Affairs is still monitoring the situation in there to guarantee the safety of Filipinos there.

“Ang sa atin pong mga ulat ay wala pa namang ibinibigay na pahayag hinggil sa casualties sa hanay ng ating mga kababayan. Sa kabila noon ay masinsin po nating sinusubaybayan ang sitwasyon at handa naman pong maghatid ng tulong ang ating pamahalaan. Mayroon po tayong tanggapan sa Taiwan na tumututok sa sitwasyon doon,” said Coloma.