Caritas Philippines has already activated social action centers as “emergency response units” in areas that will be affected by Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgea) in the coming days.
“Social action centers in affected dioceses are already on stand-by and ready to conduct an initial impact assessment,” said Father Antonio Labiao Jr., executive secretary of Caritas Philippines.
“We urge the public to remain cautious,” said the priest, adding that emergency relief packs are already in place “if there is a need to distribute them.”
The state weather bureau said the national capital region and other parts of the country will experience heavy rains and strong winds in the weekend.
It said that the storm is expected to make two landfalls and could prompt wind Signal Number 3 in some areas.
Tropical storm Nalgea is expected to hit the island province of Catanduanes on Saturday, October 29, and make a second landfall over the east coast of Quezon province on Sunday, October 30.
Meanwhile, in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao del Norte, 13 people died in flash floods in the towns of Datu Blah Sinsuat and Datu Odin Sinsuat due to heavy rains.
Nalgea is predicted to become a “severe tropical storm” within 24 hours, but “is less likely” to reach the typhoon category due to its possible second landfall, according to the weather bureau.
Wind Signal Number 2 have been raised in the provinces of Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Central and Southern portions of Quezon.
Metro Manila, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, and some parts of Tarlac are under Signal Number 1.
Nalgea has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.
