AIRPORTS operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) are actively implementing precautionary measures and preparing in anticipation of Super Typhoon “Mawar” with the local name “Betty,” the aviation authority said.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced the “super typhoon” category of Mawar as of 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

The weather agency also said it may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday or Saturday, May 26 or 27.

Airports located within the possible path of Mawar, such as Ilocos region and Cagayan Valley airports, have already conducted “pre-typhoon” coordination meetings and assessments to gear up for possible weather disturbances.

Malasakit Help Kits, including food packs, will also be distributed to affected travelers.

Besides typhoon preparedness plans, CAAP Tacloban also conducted a regular in-airport incident drill on May 23, as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure readiness during unwanted aircraft incidents.

This comprehensive drill, which is performed every six months, allows airport personnel to practice and evaluate their response strategies, coordination, and communication procedures in simulated emergency situations.

In a related development, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) instructed all its regional directors to coordinate with their respective Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (RDDRMCs) continuously and to remind all local government units (LGUs) to prepare for Super Typhoon “Mawar” which is still outside the Philippine area of responsibility.

In an advisory, the DILG said all LGUs, especially those in areas with recent experience of extended or prolonged rain occurrences and/or landslides or floods, shall continue to monitor all PAGASA weather advisories and typhoon bulletins as well as closely monitor its local thunderstorm/rainfall advisories and heavy rainfall warnings, and general flood advisories and basin flood bulletins.

They are also ordered to utilize HazardHunterPH to generate indicative hazard assessment reports on their jurisdictions.

Local DRRMCs are also directed to convene and conduct pre-disaster risk assessments for floods, flash floods, rain-induced landslides, debris flow, and strong winds. Communities must also be continuously informed and advised of situation updates and preparations.

LGUs are also ordered to establish and strictly implement critical preparedness actions based on the Operation L!STO Protocols and DILG Memorandum Circular 2020-125 or the L!STO SA TAG-ULAN AT COVID-19: Preparedness Measures of LGUs for the Rainy Season CY 2020, prioritize supplies and equipment prepositioning for response, and implement necessary actions in the DILG Advisory issued last May 2022 on the “Preparedness Measures for Rainy Season C.Y. 2022.”

Areas showing signs of landslides, such as tension cracks, seepages, terracettes, tilting of trees, etc., monitor moderate slopes with thick soil overburden, and areas underlain by old landslide deposits, quarry and mining areas must also be vigilantly monitored.

Waterways such as canals and drainages are likewise ordered to be cleared while dams should be ensured stable.

LGUs are also expected to conduct pruning of trees and vegetation and clear waterways such as canals and drainages.

If deemed necessary, LGUs are also urged to conduct preemptive evacuation and avoid areas affected by repeated flooding and landslides, meandering rivers with hillsides/riverbank erosion, floodplains with shifting and braiding streams, coastal areas affected by storm surge, flash flood areas, river deltas with many distributary channels, etc.

DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. said he hopes to mitigate any casualties through these proactive and preventive measures against Super Typhoon Mawar.

“With the advisories given by PAGASA, we need to brace ourselves and get ready to avoid casualties and other damages expected to be brought about by this potential weather disturbance,” Abalos said.

According to PAGASA, “Mawar” is expected to enter PAR on Friday or Saturday and will be given the local name “Betty.”

It is expected to traverse near the extreme Northern Luzon and enhance the Southwesterly Windflow beginning this Friday onwards, which may affect the Western parts of the country.