Super typhoon “Mawar” maintained its strength while moving westward after battering Guam, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration.

Based on the latest PAGASA weather bulletin on Thursday, the center of the eye of the super typhoon was last tracked over east of southern Luzon, moving westward at 10 kilometers per hour.

PAGASA forecasts that “Mawar” will accelerate westward and enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility likely by Friday evening or Saturday evening. It will hence be named “Betty.”

It will move west-northwestward throughout the forecast period towards the sea area east of Extreme Northern Luzon.

“Mawar” is forecast to continue intensifying in the next three days and may reach a peak intensity of 215 km/h by Sunday. Afterward, the super typhoon is expected to weaken but it will remain a typhoon by the end of the forecast period.

PAGASA said the current track scenario shows that the rain bands of the typhoon may bring heavy rains over Cagayan Valley between Sunday and Tuesday next week.

The Office of the Civil Defense Cordillera reminds different local government units through their respective disaster risk reduction management formations to gear up for the possible effects of typhoon “Mawar” to the region.

Relief items

The OCD Cordillera advised the public and the DRRM councils and offices not to let their guard down even if “Mawar” is not expected to make a landfall.

The OCD said it has already pre-positioned relief items to areas that will likely be hit by the incoming typhoon so that assistance will be immediately given to affected families.

Diego Mariano, OCD Joint Information Center head, said all necessary equipment for clearing operations as well as the rescuers have already been deployed along with personnel and air assets of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council likewise geared up for the possible onslaught of the super typhoon.

MMDA acting chairman and concurrent MMDRRMC Chairperson Atty. Don Artes assured close and prompt coordination among concerned government agencies and Metro Manila local government units.

“MMDRRMC members shall monitor round-the-clock weather updates and situations, while disaster response units will monitor potential flooding in flood-prone areas and waterways,” Artes said.

In Davao City, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office assured that the city has prepared for the possible effect of the super typhoon.

In an interview, Alfredo Baloran, head of the CDRRMO, said they have already issued advisories in the barangays to prepare for the howler.

“We are still on high alert because the weather disturbance is expected to become a super typhoon that will affect almost all of the country,” he added.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of the entry of super typhoon “Betty,” the Philippine Coast Guard said it has already placed all units on a heightened alert status.

During the Laging Handa Public Briefing on Thursday, PCG officer-in-charge, Vice Admiral Rogelio Lizor Punzalan Jr. said they have already raised the status after PAGASA has raised Tropical Cyclone Advisory number 2A.

“All districts of the PCG are all on heightened alert and we already reach out to the shipping industry, and the shipping lines so that they are aware, and that they could also consider seeking shelter. There is also deployment in advance to flood-prone areas,” he said.