By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is closely monitoring the government’s response to the onslaught of Super Typhoon Leon, which has affected Northern Luzon.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos has no public engagements on Thursday and will only attend private meetings in Malacañang while overseeing all developments related to the super typhoon.
The President earlier directed local government units (LGUs) to prepare for Leon.
In its latest bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Leon has maintained its strength while moving northwestward near Batanes, which is currently under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4.
TCWS No. 3 is hoisted over the northern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Islands and Calayan Islands), where storm-force winds are expected.
Gale-force winds will prevail in areas under TCWS No. 2: the rest of Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, the northern portion of Isabela (San Pablo, Maconacon, Divilacan, and Palanan), Apayao, and Ilocos Norte.
Strong winds will prevail in areas under TCWS No. 1: the rest of Isabela, Quirino, the northern and central portions of Nueva Vizcaya (Bayombong, Dupax del Norte, Ambaguio, Bagabag, Villaverde, Kayapa, Santa Fe, Kasibu, Aritao, Bambang, Diadi, Dupax del Sur, Quezon, and Solano), Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and the northern and central portions of Aurora (Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, and Dilasag).
Parts of Luzon are still reeling from the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, which battered the island last week.
Gov’t aid
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), meanwhile, said the government has allocated PHP895.66 million in aid for the victims of Kristine and Leon.
In a statement, the NDRRMC said the allocation covers food and non-food items supplied by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Office of Civil Defense, and LGUs.
Contributions from various non-government organizations are also included in the allocation.
To date, more than 1.89 million families or 7.49 million individuals across the country have been affected by the inclement weather.
Meanwhile, damage and losses to agriculture totaled PHP2.9 billion in nine regions – the Cordillera region, Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Soccsksargen.
Damage to Infrastructure was estimated at PHP6.39 billion for Cordillera, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Soccsksargen.
The NDRRMC also reported 150,511 damaged houses, while 211 LGUs have a declared state of calamity in their respective localities. (PNA)
