Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. called on the local chief executives (LCE) to prepare all safety measures to minimize the adverse effects of Tropical storm "Egay" in the country. He reminded the LCE of their sworn duty to remain in their respective localities ‘before, during and after’ the typhoon to attend to the needs of their constituents as mandated under the department’s ‘Operation LISTO’ protocol. “It has been proven that the Operation L!STO Protocols saves lives. We continue to remind our LCEs to stay in their posts in time of typhoons at pangunahan ang pagpapatupad nito sa kanilang mga nasasakupan. It needs LCEs to ensure that its guidelines will be implemented well lalo ngayon may parating na bagyo,” Abalos said. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that "Egay" has maintained  its strength as it accelerates west-north-westward over the Philippine Sea and is forecast to intensify into a severe tropical storm  and may reach peak at super typhoon category on Tuesday, July 25 or Wednesday, July 26 while over the Philippine Sea east of extreme Northern Luzon. Abalos emphasized that the presence of the LCEs “is critical in the swift implementation of the L!STO protocols, especially down at the grassroots level’’, saying “all steps in the protocols will be set in motion by the LCEs, to be assisted by the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (LDRRMO).’’ He asserted that part of the LCEs' responsibilities in the ‘Operation L!STO protocols’ are to get organized by convening the LDRRM councils within 24 hours upon receiving a severe weather bulletin; reviewing LDRRM/Contingency Plans and Hazard Risk Maps; and, organizing Search, Rescue and Retrieval, Security, and Clearing Operations Teams, among others. “The L!STO protocols also prescribe that the LCEs lead in the conduct of the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) and the preparation of appropriate response plans; assessment of the functionality of evacuation centers; and, activation of the Incident Command System,’’ Abalos explained. The DILG chief also urged the LCE to prepare the evacuation centers, conduct pre-emptive and forced evacuation especially in the flood and landslide-prone areas and advise the affected residents to avoid danger zones. Abalos insisted that the LCEs are expected to lead in carrying out grassroots actions, such as issuance of prohibitions for sea voyages and fishing and preventing people to cross any body of water; and dissemination of public warnings thru established warning systems and weather bulletins.