THE government again assured the public that the country’s storm “frontliners” are well trained to handle calamities even as it warned that Filipinos, particularly those in the Bicol region, should remain vigilant for any eventuality.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte made the assurance as Tropical Storm “Melor” entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday and was renamed “Nona,” according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
Nona, the 14th tropical cyclone to affect the country this year, entered the PAR around 4 a.m. when it was 1,110 km east of Maasin, Southern Leyte, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
It is forecast to move west northwest at 25 kph, but is not expected to directly affect the country until Sunday night when it is forecast to affect the eastern side of Luzon and Visayas.
The storm is expected to make landfall in Bicol region by Tuesday night even as the northeast monsoon continues to affect Northern Luzon.
The northeast monsoon, or “hanging amihan,” is the cold wind from China and Siberia that blows into the country from late October until mid-February. It is usually associated with the Christmas season.
Meanwhile, Valte said President Benigno Aquino III has ordered the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council to coordinate with local agencies in monitoring the situation as Typhoon Nona made landfall to the eastern side of Luzon and Visayas.
Valte also said that the country’s frontliners, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, and Department of Public Works and Highways have already prepositioned necessary relief, medicine and heavy equipment.
Disaster councils across the Bicol Region were also on standby alert on Saturday after Nona entered the PAR.
The RDRRMC on Friday reactivated the Office of Civil Defense Operation Center and placed its personnel on 24/7 duty to monitor and advise local disaster councils in the six provinces and disaster agencies on weather updates and disaster preparation scenarios, Bernardo Alejandro, RDRRMC chairperson and OCD regional director, said.