Country continues to prepare as Betty enters PAR

Filipinos continued to prepare in anticipation of Super Typhoon Betty (international name: Mawar) as it entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 2 a.m. on Saturday.

In Luzon, fishermen in Sta. Ana, Cagayan sold their catch immediately at the shore, taking advantage of the fair weather in the morning.

According to a report by Jasmin Gabriel-Galban of One North Central Luzon, the fishermen were allowed to sail as long as they would not go beyond the municipal waters.

Before Betty could affect the locality, farmers in Cagayan's Gonzaga town harvested their crops.

Others took advantage of the prevailing heat to dry rice.

Rescue personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines were deployed in different areas in Cagayan as the province was placed on red alert due to Betty.

Floating assets and rescue vehicles of Task Force Lingkod Cagayan-QRT were on standby.

Morning trips were not cancelled at the Port of Lucena in Quezon as vessels continued to bring passengers to Marinduque, Romblon, and Masbate.

The Philippine Coast Guard in Cagayan was on standby for the possible effects of the super typhoon.

The PCG said its personnel had thoroughly inspected equipment and vehicles to be used by deployable response groups (DRGs) in case of immediate evacuation or rescue operation.

In the Visayas, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Eastern Visayas pre-positioned 1,500 family food packs at the island municipality of Sto. Niño in Samar for families that may be affected by the tropical cyclone.

— DVM, GMA Integrated News