BAGUIO CITY(PIA) - - The local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management councils (DRRMCs) , from the regional, provincial  to the municipal levels,   implement precautionary measures and  heighten  preparedness   for the possible  impact  of  Super Typhoon (STY) “Mawar”.

STY  Mawar is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility Friday night(May26) or Saturday  morning and will be named “Betty”.

Cordillera Regional DRRM Council (CRDRRMC) Chairperson and Office of Civil Defense Regional Director Albert Mogol  said that the council’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is already on blue alert for heightened monitoring and will be elevated to red alert by Sunday as the typhoon comes nearer to landmass.

The OCD – CAR personnel   already did a dry – run of the VSAT Communication System for immediate utilization and deployment, if needed.

 The CRDRRMC Response Cluster member agencies headed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development are on standby alert and family food packs, family kits and hygiene kits are already strategically positioned in the different provinces of the region.

The CRMDRRMC  likewise directed local DRRM councils especially in Kalinga and Apayao to synchronize their  respective EOC’s alert level with the regional EOC. With the huge rain bands of  the typhoon, it may bring rainfall – related hazards to the two provinces.

Local DRRMCs  and  local government units are also advised  to conduct risk assessment and to implement pre-emptive evacuation in  flood and landslide- prone areas in their respective area of responsibility, if deemed necessary.

In case of inclement weather, Mogol also advised LGUs to ensure that there are  no tourism activities such as trekking, mountain climbing , caving and river water rafting. Likewise, small scale mining operations shall be suspended.

Based on PAGASA forecast  as of  4:00PM of May 26,  STY Mawar is located at 1,725 kilometer East of Central Luzon with maximum sustained wind  of 215 km/h near the center and gustiness up to 265 km/h and currently moving  West Nortwestward at 25 kph.( JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)