MARCOS: BRACE FOR SUPER TYPHOON ‘NANDO’

ON the orders of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Sunday mobilized concerned national agencies to assist local governments in preparing for Super Typhoon “Nando,” urging the public to stay alert and follow official advisories.

OCD Officer-in-Charge Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said President Marcos instructed the OCD, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), and its 44 member agencies to remain proactive in preparations until Super Typhoon “Nando” has passed.

“We are here to prepare for this super typhoon ‘Nando.’ Sa utos na rin ng ating mahal na Pangulo, si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., na tayo ay maging proactive at talagang tulungan ‘yung ating mga local government units,” said Alejandro during a press briefing at the NDRRMC headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City.

“Nandito po ang buong pwersa ng NDRRMC na pinamunuan ni National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. So kami po ay nandito kasama ang  DSWD partners natin from DSWD, DOH, DepEd, lahat po ng 44 member agencies ay nandito to assist,” the OCD-OIC added.

On the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) website, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that “Nando” (international name: Ragasa) intensified into a super typhoon on Sunday morning, raising the threat of severe flooding and storm surges in northern Luzon.

PAGASA said that as of 8 a.m. (Sept. 21), “Nando”was still within the Philippine Area of Responsibility after reaching super typhoon strength.

In the post, authorities said a high risk of storm surge may occur within the next 96 hours. There is a possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising sea water along with high waves in the low-lying coastal communities *in the following provinces/municipalities:

Batanes – Estimated storm surge heights of more than 3 meters

Cagayan and Ilocos Norte – Estimated storm surge heights: 2.1 – 3 meters

Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Cagayan – Estimated storm surge heights: 1 – 2 meters

Alejandro noted that disaster preparedness is a shared duty between the government and the public, underscoring the importance of vigilance and cooperation as Super Typhoon “Nando” approaches.

“But let us remind everyone that it is everyone’s responsibility para po maging ligtas tayo dito sa ating pinaghandaang Super Typhoon. So again, we urge everyone to cooperate, be proactive, sumunod po sa mga abiso, at rest assured na nandito po ang buong pwersa ng goberno ng NDRRMC,” he added.

Alejandro assured both local officials and the public that the national government is on full alert and ready to respond around the clock.

“So again, kami po sumusunod po sa utos ng ating Pangulo ulit ay nandito kami 24-7 and we will be here hanggang lumampas po itong super typhoon na ito. Huwag po tayong magkumpiyangsa and we’d like to assure our local government leaders na handang-handa na po ang ating national government,” the OCD-OIC said.

SIGNAL NO. 3 UP IN LUZON AREAS

Some areas have been placed under signal no. 3 as “Nando” further intensified while approaching extreme Northern Luzon.

It was last tracked 350 km. east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan or 360 km. east of Calayan, Cagayan, according to the 11 p.m. Sunday weather bulletin of the PAGASA.

“Nando” packs maximum sustained winds of 205 km. per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph. It is moving west northwest at 15 kph.

Signal no. 3 is hoisted over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, the northern and central portions of Cagayan, the northern and central portions of Apayao, and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte.

Signal no. 2 is raised over the rest of Cagayan, the northern and central portions of Isabela, the rest of Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, the eastern and central portions of Mountain Province, the eastern portion of Ifugao, the rest of Ilocos Norte, and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur.

Signal no.  1 is in effect over the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Mountain Province, the rest of Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, and the northern portion of Quezon, including Polillo Islands.

Motorbancas and similarly-sized vessels were advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions.