Marcos: All PH gov't agencies under 'full alert' for Typhoon Uwan

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Saturday all Philippine government agencies were on full alert for the impact of Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-Wong), which was expected to develop into a super typhoon and potentially affect over 8 million Filipinos across the country.

In a statement, the President said the government continued to monitor Uwan's increasing strength as it approaches northern Luzon.

"Naka-full alert and lahat ng ahensiya ng pamahalaan at agad kumilos upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan," Marcos said.

(All government agencies are on full alert and promptly took action to ensure the safety of our countrymen.)

The President said these measures include the early deployment of buses and trucks by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for evacuation efforts.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have also pre-positioned rescue vehicles, lifeboats, and relief goods to areas which may be affected by the typhoon.

"Sa ilalim ng DILG, nagpapatuloy ang mga pre-emptive evacution upang mailikas ang mga resident sa mga high-risk areas bago pa man tumama ang bagyo bukas," Marcos said, referring to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

(Under the lead of the DILG, preemptive evacuation measures are being taken to relocate residents from high-risk areas ahead of typhoon's expected landfall tomorrow.)

The President's statement comes just two days after he declared a state of national calamity due to the onslaught of Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi).

The country has yet to recover from Tino's impact, which left a trail of destruction in the Visayas and Mindanao and 204 reported deaths, based on the latest bulletin Saturday by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

Multiple local and national government agencies have appealed to the public over the past days to take necessary precautions in view of Uwan's potential for disaster.

The DSWD said Friday some 8.4 million Filipinos may be affected once Uwan hits the country.

Most of the possible affected population would be from the Ilocos Region with 3.5 million, Cagayan Valley with 2.03 million, and Cordillera Administrative Region with 1.4 million, according to DSWD's analysis, based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 2020 data. 

About 1.3 million individuals may also be affected in five Central Luzon provinces, while many others were also at risk in Quezon province, Occidental Mindoro, and Catanduanes.

Mobility of responders

To ease the Uwan's impact to the mobility of disaster teams, Marcos said toll fees have been suspended for emergency convoys and responders.

"May inilaan tayong mga espesyal na lane upang mas mabilis makarating sa mga high-risk areas," Marcos said.

(We have designated special lanes to ensure that emergency convoys and responders reach high-risk areas quickly.) 

Marcos added that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units (LGUs) have also conducted dredging activities at waterways and have removed road obstructions.

He also noted that several malls and buildings have opened their parking areas for residents in flood-prone areas.

"Pinapaalalahanan ko ang lahat na manatiling mahinahon at huwag maging kampante. Sumunod sa mga abiso sa inyong LGU at agad lumikas kung kayo ay nakatira sa delikadong lugar. Ihanda ang inyong mga pangunahing pangangailangan at manatiling nakatutok sa mga opisyal na anunsyo," the President said.

(May I remind everyone to remain calm and not to be complacent. Follow the advisories of your LGUs. Evacuate immediately if you live at a dangerous location. Prepare your basic necessities and monitor official announcements.)

Marcos also appealed to the nation for unity, stressing that every second counts in the face of disaster.

The country is bracing for the impact of Uwan, which is expected to make landfall over the southern portion of Isabela or the northern section of Aurora on Sunday evening or Monday early morning.

This early, however, Uwan has rapidly intensified as it marches across the Philippine Sea east of Eastern Visayas, prompting weather bureau PAGASA on Saturday morning to declare eight areas in Luzon and Visayas under Tropical Weather Cyclone Signal (TWCS) No. 2. — VDV, GMA Integrated News