President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday called on the public to stay safe and vigilant, as Severe Tropical Storm “Nika” and two more tropical cyclones are expected to hit the country this week.
Marcos made the call, as he said the government continues to closely monitor the developments of the operations for Nika
“So, this is what we are monitoring now. We are trying to see what the damages are that we have to go in already. This storm (Nika) will leave the Philippine area of responsibility around 2 p.m. tomorrow. But then we have to watch the new one coming in. So, that’s where we’re at right now,” Marcos told reporters in a chance interview on the sidelines of an event at the Okada Manila in Parañaque City.
“[We’re] trying to keep watch, making sure that everybody is safe. We have done some initial evacuations already. So, we just try to stay safe. So, everyone please listen to your local government and authorities who tell you what to do. As soon as the national government can come in, we will come in. Your local government is there, ready to be the first responders as they always are,” he added.
Nika will continue moving west northwestward over the West Philippine Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Tuesday morning, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) 8:00 p.m. weather bulletin.
However, two more tropical cyclones are expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility and will be named Ofel and Pepito.
Marcos admitted that the situation becomes a “little complicated,” given the strength and possible impact of the tropical cyclones on hareas that are expected to be hit.
He, nevertheless, assured the public that the national government is not letting its guard down, stressing that it will “come in as soon as [it] can.”
“Generally speaking, kapag nagkaroon tayo ng bagyo, ibig sabihin, ito ‘yung nasira, ito yung kailangang gawin, ayusin muna natin lahat iyan. Ngayon, sinasabi natin, mag-isip isip tayo kasi kung aayusin natin tapos sisirain na naman ng susunod na bagyo, sayang lang ‘yung ating ginawa so kailangan nating magplano. Pero ‘yung mga tao, kailangan ng kuryente, kailangan ng food supply, kailangan ng may tubig, kailangang ayusin ang kanilang bahay,” Marcos said.
“So, this is the balance, the tight rope that we are trying to navigate. It’s a little bit… We don’t have a textbook to follow. We don’t have a template to follow. It is climate change and it is the new reality that we are having to face,” he added. (PNA)