MANILA -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has directed local government units (LGUs) and government agencies to take extra precaution and do the necessary preparations with the looming weather disturbance that could possibly affect Mindanao and Visayas.

“I direct our government agencies and LGUs as well as to urge our countrymen, especially those who are on or near its projected path, to keep monitoring the situation and conduct all necessary preparations and precautions,” President Duterte said during his weekly “Talk to the People” aired Monday evening.

“Nandiyan naman ‘yan. Iyong dadaanan ng bagyo lumalabas diyan sa newspaper pati sa TV. All you have to do is to watch TV and makita mo ‘yung trajectory, ang takbo ng bagyo.”

“So kung malapit kayo diyan, medyo umalis na muna kayo, especially if the PAGASA, the weather bureau would say umalis kayo diyan sa lugar na ‘yan kasi diyan tatama.”

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said they made recommendation to the National Vaccination Operation Center for the postponement of the second part of the National Vaccination in areas projected to the affected by Typhoon Odette.

“From December 15, 16, 17 ay gagawin po natin sa December 20, 21, 22,” Duque told the President. “At ito pong dadaanan ng bagyo batay po sa mga pinakahuling ulat mula sa PAGASA ay posible pong Northern Mindanao, ang Central and Eastern Visayas, at ang Southern Tagalog region ay hindi po na muna natin itutuloy ang bakunahan dahil kinakailangan po mailayo sa peligro ang atin pong mga kababayan sa panahon nitong Bagyong Odette.”

The Bayanihan, Bakunahan Part 2, however, will pushed through in Calabarzon, Central and Northern Luzon, said the health secretary, adding they decided to suspend the mass immunization in areas along the typhoon’s path to ensure the safety of health worker and volunteers.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the tropical depression located outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) has intensified into a tropical storm on Monday.

The tropical storm, last spotted 1,645 kilometers (km) east of Mindanao, packs wind speeds of up to 65 km per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph, the weather bureau’s Monday afternoon bulletin said.

Pagasa said that the storm, with international name Rai, will enter the Philippine jurisdiction within the next 24 hours or possibly by Tuesday night. (PND)