Cagayan Governor: Relief goods, security deployment set for approaching typhoon

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 12) — One of the regions expected to be the most affected area by the incoming typhoon has made the necessary preparations for its onslaught, its governor assured.

Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba said they have prepared three days prior to the arrival of the typhoon to brace for its effects. He said they have readied relief goods and instructed security forces in vulnerable areas to remain on alert.

"Three days ago we had alerted lahat ng [all of the] stakeholders, agencies in the province…We have started pre-deploying, prepositioning some of our assets and relief goods," Mamba told CNN Philippines' New Day.

"Inalert na namin including disaster councils of the barangays and disaster council ng mga towns," he added.

[Translation: We have alerted the disaster councils of the barangays and towns.]

Weather officials said typhoon "Mangkhut" will bring heavy rainfall to Northern Luzon, as it is expected to pass by Cagayan and Batanes. Mangkhut will enter Philippine territory by Wednesday and will be named "Ompong."

READ: Typhoon 'Mangkhut' to enter PH Wednesday noon

Disaster officials have also warned of possible disasters similar to those that occurred when super typhoon Yolanda hit the southern region of the country in 2013.

READ: Officials warn of 'Yolanda-type' disasters as 'Mangkhut' nears PH

Mamba said their sense of urgency comes from their bad experience of super typhoon "Lawin" in 2016, which destroyed thousands of homes in the region.

Lawin hit Northern Luzon, particularly Tuguegarao and Peñablanca in Cagayan, destroying 14,000 houses and leaving 50,000 homes partially destroyed, Mamba relayed.

"We have had an experience on this two years ago sa [from] 'Lawin' and we're trying our best to be more prepared this time…We learned so much from this and that is why we are trying to relay these again, reimplement the systems we have done noon [before], " he said.

Mamba also said they are relieved that the eastern areas of the region, where the Sierra Madre mountain range is located, remains uninhabited.

"Swerte po namin kasi 'yung eastern borders namin, [we're lucky because our eastern borders], we have the Sierra Madre, we don't have populated areas dito [here]," he said.

This is a developing story.