Seven provinces in Luzon and the V 1 yesterday as tropical storm “Egay” further intensified into a severe tropical storm.
“Egay” is forecast to reach typhoon category within 24 hours and may become a super typhoon on Tuesday.
As this developed, Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando ordered the suspension of classes and work in all public and private offices in the province today in anticipation of the possible effects of “Egay” and the start of the three-day transport strike.
The same was also enforced in Pampanga, Cavite, and Taytay in Rizal by their respective local governments. Malacanang had previously declared classes and government work suspended in the National Capital Region for the same reasons.
Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 was raised over Catanduanes, theeastern portion of Camarines Sur, the northern portion of Aurora, theeastern portion of Isabela, the eastern portion of Cagayan, the northern portion of Eastern Samar, and the eastern portion of Northern Samar.
“Egay” may also enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing occasionalrains over several areas across the country in the next three days.
It will be closest to extreme Northern Luzon on Wednesday and make landfall over the east coast of Taiwan on Thursday morning.
“Although the latest track forecast shows that ‘Egay’ will remain offshore for most of the forecast period, a close approach or landfall in the vicinity of extreme Northern Luzon is still not ruled out based on the forecast confidence cone,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos reminded local chief executives to implement Operation L!STO Protocols before, during, and after a storm hits their area of jurisdiction.
“To say that the presence of local chief executives during calamities is critical is an understatement,” Abalos said.
“Operation L!STO remains to be the blueprint for LGUs to prepare for disasters. So we expect them to lead the compliance of its preparedness measures,” he added.