President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has instructed local government units (LGUs) to brace for the impact of Super Typhoon Leon, which intensified on Wednesday morning. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Maersk Optimus distribution center in Laguna, Marcos underscored the need for preparedness, citing the serious threat posed by Leon’s approach.
As of 10 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Leon was located 360 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan, with sustained winds of 185 kph and gusts reaching 230 kph. The super typhoon is moving west-northwest at 10 kph, bringing rain and strong winds to Luzon, which have already forced thousands to evacuate their homes.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported 145 fatalities and 115 injuries as of Wednesday morning due to the combined effects of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon. The Department of Agriculture also estimated losses of P3.40 billion in rice, high-value crops, and agricultural infrastructure.