By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday ordered the entire government machinery to brace for Super Typhoon Nando (international name: Ragasa), directing national agencies to assist local governments preparing for torrential rains, landslides, and life-threatening storm surges across northern Luzon.
At a press briefing, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Officer-in-Charge Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said Marcos instructed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and its 44 member-agencies to remain on full alert until Nando exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
“We are here to prepare for this super typhoon Nando. Sa utos na rin ng ating mahal na Pangulo, si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na tayo ay maging proactive at talagang tulungan ‘yung ating mga local government units (By order of our beloved President, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we must be proactive and give full support to our local government units),” Alejandro said.
The NDRRMC response clusters led by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. have been activated, he added.
Nando strengthened into a super typhoon on Sunday morning, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
It is expected to bring rainfall of up to 200 millimeters in 24 hours, with authorities warning of severe flooding, landslides, and storm surges of more than three meters in Batanes and Cagayan, up to three meters in Ilocos Norte, and one to two meters in Ilocos Sur and other coastal towns.
Affected areas
Alejandro said Regions 1 (Ilocos) and 2 (Cagayan Valley), and the Cordillera Administrative Region will bear the brunt of Nando, but the storm’s circulation, amplified by the southwest monsoon and Tropical Depression Mirasol, would also drench Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Bicol.
Data showed that as of early Sunday, 184 barangays in the Cagayan, Bicol, Western Visayas and Zamboanga regions have been affected by rains linked to Nando and the enhanced monsoon, displacing 28,831 families or 104,151 individuals.
At least eight evacuation centers have been opened, currently hosting 165 families or 497 persons.
Tourists stranded in Batanes
In Batanes, Governor Ronald Aguto reported that about 70 tourists remain stranded after Philippine Airlines suspended all flights to and from the island until Sept. 23.
Local officials are coordinating with the Philippine Air Force for possible C-130 flights if commercial operations remain grounded.
Alejandro underscored that disaster preparedness must be a shared responsibility.
“Let us remind everyone that it is everyone’s responsibility para po maging ligtas tayo dito sa ating pinaghahandaang super typhoon (so we can ensure the safety of everyone as we prepare for the super typhoon). Again, we urge everyone to cooperate, be proactive, sumunod po sa mga abiso, (follow the advisories),” he said.
He assured local governments that national agencies will maintain round-the-clock coordination.
“Huwag po tayong magkumpiyansa. We’d like to assure our local government leaders na handang-handa na po ang ating national government (“Let us not be complacent. We’d like to assure our local government leaders that our national government is fully prepared),” he added. (With Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
