Palace to typhoon victims: Evacuate low-lying areas if needed

Malacañang on Monday urged residents of low-lying areas to cooperate with authorities if there is a need to evacuate as tropical storm "Pedring" (international name: Nesat) intensified into a storm. In a statement, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also said President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is also monitoring the typhoon from Japan, where he is conducting a four-day state visit. “Umaapela po tayo sa ating mga kababayan lalo na sa mababang lugar na maging mapagmatyag at sumunod sa mga local na awtoridad kapag sinabihan silang lumikas para sa kanilang kapakanan," Valte said. “Nakahanda po tayong tumulong sa mga maaapektuhan ng bagyong Pedring," she added. Valte said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the departments of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Education (DepEd), Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other agencies are working together to ensure the safety of the public. Valte said the Palace is continuously giving updates to the President, who left the country on Sunday. “Patuloy ang pagmomonitor ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino sa sitwasyon ngayon kahit siya ay nasa Japan at tuloy tuloy ang pagri-report sa kaniya ng mga pangyayari sa atin," she said. Tropical storm Pedring intensified into a typhoon Monday afternoon. DepEd ordered the suspension of afternoon classes in the preschool, elementary and high school levels in private and public schools in Metro Manila. PAGASA placed as of 11:00 a.m. on Monday, 26 areas under Storm Signal No. 1 and 14 others under Storm Signal No. 2. Storm signals Under Storm Signal No. 2 are: