The Basco Cathedral Pastoral Center in Batanes opened its doors to evacuees who are seeking refuge as Super Typhoon #LeonPH approaches.

Fr. Ronaldo Manabat, overseeing the center, confirmed that evacuees began arriving as of Wednesday morning, October 30, 2024.

"May mga evacuees na po kami... okay naman po [ang sitwasyon namin], medyo malakas na po ang hangin na may kasamang pag ulan po," Fr. Manabat said.

The center is providing food, ready-to-eat meals, cooking facilities, and free mosquito nets to those seeking refuge.

Fr. Manabat said they organized preemptive evacuations to prevent injuries and casualties.

"Preemptive evacuation po ginawa natin para po maiwasan ang may masaktan o magkaroon ng casualties po," he added.

Power in the area was expected to be cut off by noon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) earlier reported that #LeonPH has strengthened into a super typhoon, with its center located about 350 km east of Calayan, Cagayan, as of 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, October 30.

The storm is projected to pass closest to Batanes between Wednesday night and Thursday morning before making landfall on Taiwan’s eastern coast.