Government tells public: Prepare for ‘Marce’

ANOTHER tropical storm has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has asked the public to prepare.

The NDRRMC convened on Sunday morning so as to assess the situation given that the country was battered by ‘Kristine’ and ‘Leon’ recently.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., who also serves as the chair of the NDRRMC, said they aim to ensure local and regional preparedness and response operations are in place.

Aside from Teodoro, Jr., also present during the meeting were key officials from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), including Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV and Assistant Secretary Jekereen Joy Casipit.

The DND, OCD and other member-agencies of the NDRRMC are closely monitoring the situation and are enforcing all necessary preparations to mitigate risks and ensure community safety in anticipation of the weather disturbance.

“The NDRRMC urges all citizens to stay informed and heed official advisories as the situation develops. The council remains committed to safeguarding lives and properties across the nation,” the OCD said in a statement.

Many areas in Luzon, especially Batangas and the Bicol Region, are still feeling the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

Super Typhoon Leon made an onslaught in northern Luzon, particularly Batanes province, mid last week.

Batanes was also hit by Super Typhoon Julian on the first week of October.

Marce, the country’s 13th tropical cyclone, entered PAR at 4 a.m. Monday and is not affecting any part of the country yet. No wind signals are currently hoisted.

At 4 a.m., Tropical Storm Marce with international name Yinxing was located 935 km east of Eastern Visayas.

It has maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gustiness up to 80 kph. It is moving west northwestward at 25 kph.

The storm will continuously intensify while moving generally northwestward over the Philippine Sea and reach typhoon strength by Wednesday.

Wind signals may be hoisted over portions of Cagayan Valley beginning Tuesday, with Signal No. 4 the highest possible wind warning to be raised during the Marce’s passage.