TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 2 has urged farmers to harvest their palay, corn, and high-value crops early before typhoon 'Jenny'  hits Northern Luzon, especially the Cagayan Valley area. 

Regional Executive Director Rosemary G. Aquino said there are still many farmers who have yet to harvest their produce as harvest season has just begun.

"We advise them to double their efforts in harvesting their products now. The incoming typhoon might induce flooding or it may bring strong winds that will damage our agricultural products," Aquino said. 

In a pre-disaster risk assessment meeting, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration - Northern Luzon Bureau Weather Specialist Romeo Ganal, Jr. said the typhoon is forecast to move generally northwestward until Tuesday morning before turning west-northwestward on Wednesday.

"Typhoon 'Jenny' will make landfall over the southern portion of Taiwan on Thursday afternoon or evening and then exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility. A landfall or close approach scenario over the Batanes area is still not ruled out since these scenarios are within the forecast confidence cone," Ganal said. 

As of press time, Batanes province, the Calayan Group of Islands, and northern Cagayan province are experiencing light to moderate rains. 

In Batanes, Roldan Esdicul, provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer, said classes at all levels and flight schedules were already suspended.

"The no sailing and no fishing policy is already in effect. Based on our latest inventory, we still have enough supplies of relief goods that are ready to be distributed to affected families in case needed," Esdicul said.

For his part, Regional Director Leon DG. Rafael of the Office of the Civil Defense and chairperson of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Cagayan Valley ordered all local DRRM councils to take precautionary measures, ensure the activation of rescue teams, and prepare rescue assets in their respective areas.

“We also advised the local DRRM councils to have their respective pre-disaster risk assessment meetings to determine the things to be prepared and to lay down their deployment schemes,” Rafael said.  

He also said pre-emptive evacuation must be implemented if necessary in areas that are likely to be heavily affected by the typhoon. (OTB/PIA Region 2)