Dioceses in the northern Philippines were getting ready on Thursday, September 9, for the onslaught of another typhoon that threatened to hit the region later this week.
Storm signal number 1 was raised over several areas in the northern part of the country as Typhoon “Kiko” (international code name: Chanthu) intensified, according to the weather bureau.
“Kiko,” the country’s 11th storm this year, packed maximum winds of 195 kph and gusts of up to 240 kph.
Meanwhile, tropical storm “Jolina” (international code name: Conson) has been forecast to re-intensify and may reach severe tropical storm category as it heads outside the Philippines.
“Jolina” left at least 14 people dead and 26 others missing after it pounded some parts of the main island of Luzon and the Visayas with heavy rains and strong winds in the past two days.
“In the face of a possible strong typhoon that is about to hit Batanes and the rest of northeastern Luzon, we beg you Lord and implore you to cover us with your paternal embrace and protection, and shield us from the possible destructive effects of this calamity,” read a prayer prepared by Bishop Danilo Ulep of the Prelature of Batanes.
“Full of trust and confidence in you, we entreat you to protect our people from any danger or harm that this typhoon may bring,” he added.
The Archdiocese of Tuguegarao also braced for the impact of typhoon “Kiko,” said Father Andy Semana, social action director of the archdiocese.
“I [will] seek an audience with the archbishop and and discuss what to be done,” said the priest on Thursday morning in an interview over Church-run Veritas 846.
Father Semana expressed hope that the new typhoon will not be as strong as typhoon Ulysses (international code name: Vamco) that hit the northern Philippines last year, inundating a large swath of land and affecting 3.67 million people. At least 70 people were reported killed and 277,000 families lost their homes.
The presidential palace on Thursday said the government is “closely monitoring” preparations for the impact of the new typhoon.
“We ask the public to continue to remain alert and vigilant, take precautionary measures, observe minimum public health standards, and cooperate with their respective local authorities in case of an evacuation,” said government spokesman Harry Roque.
