Malacañang on Wednesday assured the public that various concerned government agencies are fully prepared for the potential impact of Tropical Cyclone Rosal, which is anticipated to intensify into a super typhoon.
“Ang DSWD, ang DPWH, ang DENR, lahat ng ahensiyang concerned, pati po ang DOH, handa po sila sa mga ganitong kondisyon at sitwasyon,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a briefing.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Rosal is expected to remain at super typhoon intensity within the next 24 hours before possibly weakening into a typhoon by Thursday afternoon.
It is expected to move northwestward over the Philippine Sea until Friday and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) late Friday or early Saturday.
Authorities urge residents, particularly those in areas likely to be affected, to remain vigilant as the government continues to monitor Rosal’s movement and intensity.
The DSWD said that as of Wednesday, 622 families or 3,110 persons are affected in 10 barangays in the Bicol Region.
It assured the public that it has over P1.5 billion worth of cash (P43.989 million) and stockpiles of food and non-food relief items (P1.47 billion) on standby.
As this developed, Castro said Malacañang is still reviewing a proposal from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to consider a heat index of 40 degrees Celsius as a possible basis for suspending work amid concerns over extreme heat associated with El Niño.