As Filipinos prepare for the long weekend amid the onslaught of Typhoon “Paeng”, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reminded the public to heed warnings, and “take precautions”, especially those who plan to travel.
Quoting an advisory from the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), the Chief Executive tweeted that Paeng may reach Severe Tropical Storm category that will result in heavy rains in parts of Luzon and Visayas today, Oct. 29.
“All those in the affected areas are advised to take precautions, particularly those who plan to travel this long weekend,” he wrote.
The Philippines will observe All Saints’ Day on, Tuesday, Nov. 1, which is a regular holiday, while Monday, Oct. 31, was declared a special non-working holiday.
But Paeng has already battered several parts of Visayas and Mindanao as Maguindanao, Cotabato, and neighboring provinces experienced landslides and flash floods because of the heavy rains from the typhoon.
READ: ‘Paeng’ intensifies into severe tropical storm; Signal No. 3 raised in 4 Luzon areas
Marcos assured that the relevant government agencies—the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)—“are on standby for rescue operations, DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) has pre-positioned food and non-food items to high-risk areas, and OCD (Office of Civil Defense) has deployed its assets for transportation and clearing operations.”
Official tally said 45 people have already died, while several are injured and missing.
“Our prayers go to the lives lost in the Aklan, Capiz, and BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) flash floods, and to those who continue to be gravely affected by this calamity,” the President said on Twitter.
Paeng made landfall past midnight in Camarines Sur as it is expected to bring heavy rains and winds to Metro Manila and neighboring provinces later today, Oct. 29.
#PaengPH is the number one trending topic on social media site Twitter as victims and concerned Filipinos ask for help and donations amid the onslaught and devastation in several parts of the country.