national gov’t

ready to assist in ‘Mawar’ response

MANILA — The national government has been in constant contact with counterparts in the local government units as the Philippines — particularly northern Luzon — prepares for strong winds and rain from super typhoon 'Mawar', President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said on Friday, May 26. He added the national government has already put personnel and resources on standby for disaster response.

Marcos told media after a program marking the anniversary of the Philippine Navy that local government units have been told to make their own preparations for the super typhoon, which is expected to hit peak strength of 220 kilometer-per-hour winds.

"So, what we are doing is we leave it to the LGUs right now to make the call on their specific steps," Marcos said in a mix of English and Filipino.

"But the national government will be there to assist," he also said. According to the Presidential Communications Office, search, rescue and retrival units of thr Armed Forces of the Philippines are already on alert for potential humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations.

Around 7,970 military personnel and 4,242 Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit militia members and 180 reservists have been designated first responders, PCO also said. The military has also put 2,518 land vehicles, 20 aircraft and 265 boats on standby for disaster response.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also said that response teams and equipment are already on standby.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Cagayan — among the areas expected to be most  PAGE A2