The Iloilo City Government is bracing for the possible effects of Typhoon Mawar that is expected to strengthen into a super typhoon once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Mawar, which will be locally called Betty, may hit the country by Friday night, May 26, or Saturday morning, May 27.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) head Donna Magno said they conducted a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) on Wednesday morning, May 24, to ensure that all preparedness and contingency measures are in place.

While Mawar is unlikely to directly hit the city and make landfall in any part of the country, Magno said it might still bring heavy rains due to the intensification of southwest monsoon or habagat.

CDRRMO is closely monitoring the track of Mawar. The typhoon was last spotted some 2,170 kilometers east of the Visayas with maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph.IMT