Malacañang on Wednesday assured the public that the government is prepared to mitigate the impact of Super Typhoon Rosal, with concerned agencies ready to carry out disaster response operations.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Health (DOH) are prepared to respond to the weather disturbance.

“Ang DSWD, ang DPWH, ang DENR, lahat ng ahensiyang concerned, pati po ang DOH, handa po sila sa mga ganitong kondisyon at sitwasyon (The DSWD, the DPWH, the DENR, and all the agencies concerned, including the DOH, are prepared for these kinds of conditions and situations),” Castro said in a Palace briefing.

Castro expressed hope that the rains brought by Rosal would help ease the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, particularly in drought-stricken communities.

She encouraged residents in areas expecting heavy rainfall to take the opportunity to collect and store water for future use.

“Kung ang lugar ninyo ay magkakaroon ng malakas na ulan, tamang-tama, baka meron kayong pagkakataon na mag-ipon ng tubig kung kayo ay nakakaranas ngayon ng tagtuyot sa inyong lugar (If your area is expected to experience heavy rains, this could be a good opportunity to collect water, especially if your community is currently experiencing drought),” Castro said.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Rosal was moving west-northwestward over the sea east of Northern Luzon at 25 kilometers per hour (kph).

The super typhoon had maximum sustained winds of 215 kph near the center and gusts of up to 265 kph.

Work suspension proposal

Meanwhile, Castro said the government is studying a proposal to suspend work when the heat index reaches 40 degrees Celsius, citing concerns over public safety and comfort amid the strong El Niño.

Castro acknowledged that Filipinos are accustomed to hot weather, particularly during the dry season, but stressed the need to consider the effects of extreme heat on the public.

“So, tignan po natin ang sitwasyon. At ang Pangulo naman po ay pinapaaral ang ganitong klaseng suhestiyon kung nararapat ba para naman sa ikagiginhawa at kaligtasan na rin ng ating mga kababayan na sa ngayon tayo ay nakakaranas ng very strong El Niño (Let’s assess the situation. The President has ordered to study the proposal to determine whether it is appropriate to ensure the comfort and safety of our fellow citizens who are currently experiencing a very strong El Niño),” she said. (PNA)