Marcos: Gov't in 'full control' amid Leon onslaught

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. assured Thursday that all government agencies and instrumentalities were on full alert amid the onslaught of Typhoon Leon (international name: Kong-rey), adding that all assets were ready to be deployed once needed.

"I assure the Filipino people that the government is ably handling all disaster management efforts. We remain in full control. Our resources and personnel may be stretched due to the impact of typhoons on multiple fronts," Marcos said in a press statement.

"Nevertheless, we have sufficient assets to mitigate the worst impact, recover from the wreckage, and rebuild stronger than before," he added.

According to Marcos, relief and recovery efforts continue in areas affected by Typhoon Kristine (international name: Trami), while the preparations for Leon are ongoing.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, weather agency PAGASA said Batanes was now under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 as Leon was downgraded into a typhoon.

PAGASA said Leon was spotted 155 kms north of Itbayat, Batanes and moving northwestward at 25 kph. It packed maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph.

Leon is expected to make landfall along the eastern coast of Taiwan on Thursday afternoon and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday evening or early Friday morning.

Meanwhile, concerned national and local government units were on high alert Thursday morning following Marcos' directive to prepare for the possible effects of Leon.

The Presidential Communication Office said Thursday that Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco already confirmed that evacuation efforts are underway for the residents who are affected by Leon. Moreover, food packs for the next three days were already distributed.

The governor also said that healthcare and social welfare personnel were deployed to evacuation centers.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DMRG) Diana Rose Cajipe said the agency has pre-positioned nearly 2,000 family food packs for affected residents of Batanes.

Cajipe said an additional 5,500 family food packs would be transported by a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel from Pangasinan to Batanes as soon as the weather permits.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said the military has standby assets deployed in areas affected by Leon. — VDV, GMA Integrated News