Marcos Orders Full Government Response as Super Typhoon Inday Hits Luzon

In a recent ANC 24/7 report, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the full force of government to mobilize as Super Typhoon Inday — known internationally as Bavi — entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and threatens Northern Luzon with heavy rainfall, flooding, and dangerous sea conditions. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro announced Wednesday that the president himself has been personally tracking PAGASA updates from Malacañang as the typhoon moves west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Northern Luzon. With Signal No. 1 already hoisted over multiple provinces and millions of family food packs prepositioned, the administration is activating every agency to shield communities from the storm's impact.

Marcos Orders Full Government Response as Super Typhoon Inday Hits Luzon

Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the full mobilization of all government agencies in preparation for Super Typhoon Inday, which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday, July 8, and is now tracking westward across the Philippine Sea. As of Thursday, July 9, the storm weakened from super typhoon to typhoon status but continues to pose significant hazards to Northern Luzon communities.

President Marcos Directs Full Government Mobilization

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro announced during a briefing that President Marcos ordered the full force of government to prepare for the typhoon's anticipated effects. Castro emphasized that Marcos himself has been closely monitoring the weather situation and urged the public to remain alert. Paalala ng Pangulo sa taumbayan, maging alerto at palaging magbantay sa takbo ng panahon, she said, reminding Filipinos to stay vigilant and track weather updates as the storm approaches.

The directive reaches across all relevant agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. The coordinated response reflects the bayanihan spirit that has long defined Philippine disaster management, where every barangay, local government unit, and national agency works together to protect families from the path of destruction.

Relief Supplies Stockpiled for Vulnerable Communities

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has prepositioned 4.7 million family food packs nationwide, with 217,000 packs placed in warehouses across the Cagayan Valley region and 23,000 specifically positioned in Batanes — the northernmost province most directly in the storm's path. These packs contain rice, canned goods, and noodles designed to sustain families who may be isolated by flooding or landslides in the days ahead.

The Department of Health has placed all regional offices and hospitals under Code White alert, ensuring that health emergency response teams are on standby for deployment. A total of P36.6 million worth of medicines, hygiene kits, and other medical supplies have been prepositioned across various regions. The DOH stressed that contingency plans are in place to prevent any interruption in health services, particularly in remote areas where access to medical care is already limited.

Infrastructure and Flood Control Mobilized

The Department of Public Works and Highways, led by Secretary Vince Dizon, has prepositioned heavy equipment including trucks, backhoes, and chainsaws in the Cagayan Valley region. These assets stand ready in Tuguegarao City and surrounding municipalities to clear debris and repair roads that may be blocked by landslides or flooding. Dizon confirmed that DPWH crews will operate around the clock once the typhoon passes to restore critical infrastructure.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority activated all 73 pumping stations across Metro Manila and completed drainage cleaning in flood-prone areas of Quezon City, Manila, and surrounding districts. This preparation aims to reduce the flooding that historically paralyzes the capital region during monsoon season. Jeepney drivers and commuters in these areas have begun adjusting routes to avoid low-lying streets prone to rapid water accumulation.

Class Suspensions and Maritime Warnings

Class suspensions under the #WalangPasok advisory have been declared for July 9-10 across multiple areas in Northern Luzon, including schools under DepEd jurisdiction in Cagayan and Batanes. Students in these provinces are staying home as parents secure livestock and prepare emergency supplies. Teachers in Baguio and other affected areas have shifted to modular learning to maintain educational continuity during the storm.

PAGASA has hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over several Luzon provinces while gale warnings cover the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas. Very rough seas up to 6.0 meters threaten coastal waters near Batanes and the Babuyan Islands, forcing fishing vessels to remain in port. For coastal communities that depend on daily catches for their livelihood, this disruption deals a direct blow to family income during an already challenging season.

Monsoon Enhancement and Broader Risks

The enhanced southwest monsoon will bring strong to gale-force gusts across most of the country through the weekend, compounding risks even as the typhoon itself weakens. Heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying barangays across Cebu, Davao, and other regions outside the typhoon's direct path if the system interacts with local weather patterns. Farmers in these areas have begun harvesting early to protect remaining crops from rain damage.

According to PAGASA, Inday is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday, July 11, and is forecast to head toward southern Japan and mainland China. This trajectory reduces direct landfall threats to the Philippines but leaves the enhanced monsoon active over Philippine waters, sustaining hazards for Eastern Visayas and other regions through the coming days.

What to Watch For

The Marcos administration's integrated response demonstrates how PAGASA forecasts drive on-the-ground logistics across multiple agencies. For residents of Northern Luzon, particularly in Batanes and Cagayan Valley, the prepositioned supplies and medical stockpiles offer critical support. However, the economic strain on small-scale fishers and farmers whose livelihoods are interrupted by the storm remains a concern that local governments will need to address in the recovery phase.

Filipinos are advised to continue monitoring PAGASA updates, heed evacuation orders from local officials, and prepare emergency go-bags with food, water, medicine, and important documents. The full force of government stands ready, but community preparedness at the barangay level remains the most effective defense against disaster.

By Bella Reyes, Staff Writer