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Philippine braces for tropical storm Melor

Xinhua, December 12, 2015 Adjust font size:

Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III has ordered frontline state agencies to make necessary preparations as tropical storm Melor, locally named as Nona, entered early Saturday in the country.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the President directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to ensure that it coordinates with the local and provincial DRRMCs.

"The president is monitoring the development from PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration)," she said in an interview at a state-run radio station.

As part of the protocol, Valte said the concerned government agencies have already prepositioned the relief goods, basic medicine and heavy equipment, and if necessary, the local government units should implement preemptive evacuation.

PAGASA, the state weather forecasting agency, said that Melor has maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph. It is forecast to move west northwest at 19 kph and is expected to make a landfall in eastern Philippine Bicol region by Tuesday. Endit