By Prince Golez

Malacañang urged the public, especially those who will be directly affected by Typhoon “Ambo,” to stay vigilant and cooperate with authorities to ensure safety for people during heavy rains.

In a statement Friday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that all concerned agencies are alert and on a standby through “Oplan Listo,” a disaster preparedness program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government at the local level.

“We ask the public, especially those who will be hit by Typhoon Ambo, to remain vigilant and to cooperate with authorities as they implement their disaster preparedness and response to ensure everyone’s safety,” according to Roque.

The secretary said the government is also “closely monitoring” the situation in the country as the country moves from enhanced community quarantine to modified enhanced community quarantine and general community quarantine beginning Saturday.

Ambo, which made its first landfall in San Policarpo town, Eastern Samar yesterday, is country’s first tropical cyclone in 2020. It is forecast to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility Monday.