Malacañang on Saturday said that local government units are ready for the onslaught of Typhoon Lando in northern Philippines.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that Baler town in Aurora including the entire province was prepared for the landfall of Lando.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has said that Lando is expected to make landfall over the provinces of Aurora and Isabela early Sunday.
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Valte said government funds and mechanisms were already in place to lessen the impact of Lando.
In April this year, Typhoon Chedeng threatened to hit Baler during the Lenten break. The local government ordered preemptive evacuation of residents and tourists to avoid casualties.
“Umaasa po tayo na (We are hoping that) it will be the same system that will be implemented for the coming days,” Valte said, commending the disaster preparation of Baler.
In its latest weather advisory, Pagasa said Lando was last spotted 295 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora. It packed maximum sustained winds of 160 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 195 kph.
Lando was slowly moving at 10 kph westward.
The state weather bureau warned that the typhoon may linger in the country for days bringing prolonged heavy rain, possible floods and sparking storm surges.
Public storm Signal No. 3 was raised in Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Ifugao and Northern Quezon including Polillo Islands.
Cagayan including Calayan and Babuyan group of Islands, Benguet, Mt. Province, Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Rizal, rest of Quezon, Camarines Norte and Catanduanes were placed under Signal No. 2.
Areas placed under Signal No. 1 were Batanes, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Albay, Camarines Sur and Metro Manila. CDG