MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas has called on the local chief executives in the Northeastern part of Luzon to prepare for typhoon "Betty."
As of last night, the typhoon, with international name "Bavi", entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility, more than a thousand kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora.
It has a strength of 65 to 80 kilometers per hour (kph), moving at 20 kph, and bringing light to moderate rains, according to state-run weather bureau PAGASA.
With its current direction, Betty is bound to make landfall near Isabela province, PAGASA added.
"Ayon sa datos na nakalap ng PAGASA, ito ay hindi nakikitang lalakas pa," Roxas said in an SMS for local executives in affected areas.
Nonetheless, Roxas urged them to take the necessary precautions and ensure the safety of their constituents.
"Gayunpaman, inaabisuhan ang lahat na maghanda at patuloy na antabayanan ang susunod na ulat panahon," he said.