LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte鈥擳he eastern town of Solsona in Ilocos Norte province has announced the cancellation of classes in all levels, in public and private schools, from Monday to Tuesday ahead of the onslaught of super typhoon 鈥淏etty鈥� (international name: Mawar).
In an administrative order issued Friday, Solsona Mayor Joseph de Lara said the suspension was meant to ensure the 鈥減ublic welfare and safety鈥� as the typhoon was forecast to unleash strong winds and heavy rains in northern Luzon early next week.
The suspension will stay in effect until the threat from the super typhoon has passed, said de Lara.
In its 11 a.m. forecast, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Betty, which entered the Philippine area before dawn on Saturday, would affect areas of Cagayan Valley, the northern portion of Aurora, northern and eastern portions of Cordillera region, Ilocos Norte, and even Ilocos Sur.
A three-day period, from Monday to Wednesday, next week would be 鈥渃rucial鈥� as Betty would be closest to the country鈥檚 landmass, with its eyewall only 250 to 300 kilometers away, according to Pagasa.
In preparation for Betty鈥檚 brunt, the Ilocos Norte provincial government has declared a 鈥渂lue alert鈥� where disaster officials and emergency response units are on standby to monitor and to ensure that there would be enough manpower in case of an emergency.
The provincial government said that it has already prepositioned hundreds of food packs in at least seven clustered areas in the province for distribution in evacuation centers.
Residents living in low-lying and landslide-prone areas were also urged to stay vigilant and be prepared for possible evacuation.
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Ilocos Sur suspends classes, work in public establishments as Betty nears
LIST: Class suspensions on Tuesday, May 30