PH gov’t on high alert for Typhoon Leon’s effects – Palace

Typhoon Leon’s track. Image from Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — The national and local governments are on high alert for the anticipated effects of Typhoon Leon, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said on Thursday.

In a statement, the PCO said Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco reported that evacuation and aid distribution are ongoing in the province. Food packs that would last three days were distributed, and healthcare and social welfare personnel were deployed to evacuation centers.

READ: Batanes downgraded to Signal No. 4 as Leon heads toward Taiwan

Meanwhile, Social Welfare Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe said 5,500 family food packs would be sent to Batanes as soon as weather permits. This is on top of the 2,000 family food packs prepositioned by the agency in Batanes.

“We will coordinate with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) because once it is cleared, we will be able to fly faster through C130, and we will bring it to Batanes right away,” Cajipe said in Filipino.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the AFP’s assets are ready to be deployed in areas affected by Leon.

“The AFP will help with everything we can. Let’s not panic and let’s work together to overcome this challenge,” Padilla said.

READ: Marcos to local gov’t units: Prepare for Super Typhoon Leon’s impact

GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan

As of 8 a.m., Leon’s eye was spotted 110 kilometers north-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said.

It had maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 240 kph and was moving northwestward at 20 kph.

The state weather bureau also downgraded the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal of Batanes from 5 to 4 as Leon moved away from the province.