By Genalyn Kabiling
The government has placed concerned disaster response agencies on “standby 24/7” as typhoon “Tisoy” moved to dump heavy rains in some parts of the country.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo (OPS / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the government is monitoring the track of the typhoon and appealed for public vigilance.
“The Office of the President is closely monitoring the areas likely to be hit by Typhoon /Tisoy/,” he said in a statement.
“The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Operation Center maintains its blue alert. Concerned disaster-related agencies are now on standby 24/7,” he added.
As of Monday morning, Panelo said the typhoon is expected to make landfall over Catanduanes, Albay, or Sorsogon between Monday tonight and early Tuesday morning.
Intermittent to occasional heavy rains are expected over the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Northern Cebu, Dinagat Islands and Siargao Island, as well as Romblon, Mindoro Provinces, Samar, Eastern Samar and the rest of CALABARZON, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, eastern portions of Cagayan and Isabela, and the rest of Eastern Visayas, according to Panelo.
Panelo said a total of 434 families or 1,328 persons have been preemptively evacuated from the municipalities of Basud, Jose Panganiban, and Vinzons, Camarines Norte.
He said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has prepositioned stockpiles and standby funds amounting to P2,000,423,863.03 as of December 1, 2019.
Meantime, Malacañang has appealed to the public, especially residents who will be affected by the typhoon, to stay vigilant.
The public is also urged to check the latest weather advisory in their respective areas through government social media accounts and coordinate with their local disaster and risk reduction management offices for appropriate and responsive action, according to Panelo.
Read more: Catanduanes placed under signal No. 3 as ‘Tisoy’ regains strength