UP TO 11 STORMS TO HIT PH BEFORE YEAREND—PAGASA

AT LEAST eight more tropical cyclones are likely to hit the country this year, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said on Saturday.

“We expect about eight to 11 more typhoons to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this year,” PAGASA deputy administrator for Administration and Engineering Services, Dr. Nathaniel Servando, said during a weekly media forum in Quezon City.

The strongest typhoons are expected in September and October, Servando said.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals are also unlikely due to Tropical Storm Falcon, which entered the PAR yes- terday, as the weather disturbance is not expected to make landfall over the country.

Servando said Falcon, unlike Egay, which was a super typhoon, will only reach typhoon level in terms of intensity.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy is focusing on 12 remaining electric cooperatives affected by Egay whose power supply has yet to be restored.

“Nine regions covering 38 provinces were affected [by the typhoon] but what is good is 50 out of the 62 cooperatives are in normal operations,” DOE

Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said in a briefing on Saturday. Alena Mae Flores also affected by Egay. Asked if the government will resort to importation, Mr. Marcos said he is thinking of bringing in rice from other countries. He shared his worries about the possible repercussion of the El Niño phenomenon and the agricultural damage the country received from Egay.

“Everybody is preparing for El Niño, that’s why I’m worried that the high prices of rice might remain even if we start importing,” said Mr. Marcos. “We will not import any agriculture (product) unless we see that the supply is so low that the prices will be out of reach for the ordinary consumer,” the President added.

EAST MEETS WEST IN UNDER 30 SECONDS CRAVINGS | C3