Philippines ready for Mawar, Marcos assures public

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. assured the public on Thursday that the government is ready for the possible effects of Super Typhoon Mawar once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Marcos said the national government is preparing for Mawar's possible effects in the northern portion of the country and in other areas as well.

"Pinaghahandaan din natin ang magiging epekto nito hindi lamang sa hilagang bahagi ng bansa, kundi sa lahat ng lugar na posibleng maapektuhan ng bagyo," Marcos said.

[We are preparing for its effects in the country's northern part and in other areas as well.]

The President met with Defense officer-in-charge Undersecretary Carlito Galvez where he ensured that the budget and food packs are ready and that the response teams and local government units are prepared if the super typhoon hit their areas.

"Sa pulong kasama si DND [USec.] Carlito Galvez, siniguro natin na naka pre-position ang pondo at food packs, naka-standby ang response teams, at handa na ang mga LGU sa mga lugar na tatamaan ng bagyo," he added.

[During our meeting with DND Usec Carlito Galvez, we made sure that funds and food packs are pre-positioned, response teams are on standby and the LGUs are ready to react in areas to be hit by the typhoon.]

Marcos said there is a possibility that Mawar would bring rains and floods in other areas of the country, including the Visayas region.

"May posibilidad na hilahin ng bagyo ang Hanging Habagat na magdadala ng matinding pag-ulan at magreresulta sa pagbaha sa ilang bahagi ng bansa sa Luzon hanggang Visayas," Marcos said.

[There's a possibility that the typhoon will pull the Southwest Monsoon which might bring heavy rains and flooding in areas in Luzon and the Visayas.]

Super typhoon category

State weather bureau PAGASA earlier said Mawar has maintained its strength and will remain in the super typhoon category when it enters PAR.

Mawar is expected to enter PAR on Friday evening or Saturday morning.

Mawar, which will be called Betty once it enters PAR, is seen to accelerate as it moves west northwestward in the next 12 hours approaching Extreme Northern Luzon.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has said it already positioned food packs in areas expected to be hit by Mawar.

Several other government offices have started preparations for the super typhoon, including the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, for its part, said it has prepared assets for rescue operations and identified critical areas for the possible impact of Mawar in Metro Manila. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News