Palace urges public to stay vigilant, brace for ‘Amang’

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday called on the public to stay vigilant and to coordinate with authorities as Tropical Depression “Amang” moves toward Leyte-Samar area.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said they are closely monitoring Amang and that all concerned disaster-related agencies are now on standby.

“We ask the public, especially residents who will be affected, to stay vigilant, monitor the latest weather advisory in their respective areas through government stations and social media accounts, and coordinate with their local disaster and risk reduction management offices for the appropriate and responsive action,” Panelo said.

Panelo noted that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has already evacuated 2,678 families or 11,153 persons in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Eastern Samar, Agusan del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur as pre-emptive measure.

Meanwhile, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already prepositioned a total of 2,500 family food packs amounting to P912,750 in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Surigao City Warehouse, the Palace official added.

As of 7 a.m., Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Amang had changed course and was now heading towards the Leyte-Samar area.

The tropical depression has a maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 60 kph. “Amang” is moving northwest at 10 kph.

Typhoon signal No. 1 remained over Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Eastern Bohol, Northern Cebu, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands. /je

READ: Slower ‘Amang’ takes path toward Leyte