MANILA, Philippines – Just hours before Typhoon Lando is expected to make landfall, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said Malacañang is hoping that people will heed the government’s warnings about the typhoon.

In an interview with dzRB on Saturday, October 17, Valte said the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and other concerned agencies and groups are implementing various disaster preparedness mechanisms ahead of Lando – the same ones they implemented when Typhoon Chedeng hit the Baler area in April.

“Alam po natin ang Baler is one of our tourist destinations. Marami po talagang nagbabakasyon noon dahil Holy Week. So ang ginawa po, kinausap po lahat ng resort. Kinausap po lahat ng hotel para i-check out na po lahat para mapilitan pong lumayo ‘yung ating mga turista noon,” Valte said.

(We know that Baler is a tourist destination. Many people go there during the Holy Week. What we did then was to talk to the different resorts and hotels to check out their guests so the tourists will be forced to leave the area.)

According to her, it is “very important” that communities are advised to begin evacuation to follow orders for their safety.

“Maganda naman po ‘yung naging sistema ng lokal na pamahalaan diyan. Umaasa po tayo na it will be the same system that will be implemented in the coming days,” said Valte. 

The latest weather bulletin from state weather bureau PAGASA said that Lando slightly intensified and slowed down, with maximum sustained winds of 160 km/h and gustiness of up to 195 km/h. The typhoon is expected to linger or become semi-stationary for 24 hours once it hits the Baler area. 

Public Storm Signal Warning No. 3 has been raised over the areas of Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Ifugao, and Northern Quezon. Signal No 2 is raised over 13 areas and Signal No. 1 over 17 areas. 

Local government units have begun preparing for the days-long heavy rains that Lando is expected to bring. (READ: What mayors should do within 48 hours before Typhoon Lando hits land)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is also on red alert to provide relief efforts to the areas to be affected by the typhoon. – Rappler.com