President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday assured the government is closely monitoring the movement of Typhoon Julian as it strengthens while moving northwestward.

In his speech during the distribution of certificates of condonation to thousands of farmers in Tarlac, the President said the government is ready to render the necessary relief and assistance.

“Mag-ingat po tayong lahat. Atin pong ipatuloy ang binabantayan na Bagyong Julian, at handang magbigay ang pamahalaan ng tulong sa ating mga kababayang nangangailangan,” the President said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Typhoon Julian is moving northwestward with maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 240 km/h.

Typhoon Signal No. 4 was hoisted over Batanes and the northern portion of Babuyan Islands, meaning “a very intense typhoon will affect the locality,” PAGASA said.

Residents are encouraged to evacuate from low-lying areas and riverbanks. They are also advised to stay away from coastal areas due to possible flooding and storm surge.

The state weather bureau said Typhoon Signal No. 3 was hoisted over the rest of Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana) and Signal No. 2 over the rest of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, and the northern and central portions of Ilocos Sur (Sinait, Cabugao).

The rest of Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, the northern and eastern portions of Nueva Ecija (Cuyapo, Rizal, Laur, Pantabangan, Science City of Muñoz, Gabaldon, Carranglan, San Jose City, Lupao, Talugtug, Bongabon, Llanera, Talavera, Palayan City, General Mamerto Natividad), and Polillo Islands were placed under Signal No. 1. | PND