"STAY home. Stay safe."
This was the statement issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), advising every Filipino to prepare for the impact of Typhoon Rolly, which is expected to hit the country beginning this weekend until early next week.
"Mula po sa buong hanay ng Kagawaran ng Transportasyon, amin pong pinapaalala na mag-ingat at maghanda po tayong lahat sa paparating na Typhoon Rolly," the agency said.
Based on the weather forecast, Typhoon Rolly is stronger than Typhoon Quinta, which destroyed many parts of the country several days ago, according to the DOTr.
"Ayon sa weather forecast, mas malakas ang paparating na bagyo kumpara sa Bagyong Quinta," the DOTr said.
Typhoon Rolly will hit land with winds of 175 to 185 kilometers per hour (km/h), according to the state weather bureau.
At 10 a.m. Friday, October 30, the eye of “Rolly” was spotted at 1,100 kilometers east of Central Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h and gustiness of up to 205 km/h. It was moving westward at 15 km/h.
"Kaya naman, pinapayuhan namin ang lahat na maging alerto at gawing triple ang ingat, lalo na ang mga kababayan nating nasa lugar na maaapektuhan ng paparating na bagyo upang makaiwas sa anumang aberya o panganib na dulot nito," the agency said.
A gale warning has been issued over the seas off northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central and southern Luzon. Sea travel is risky, especially for those with small seacraft.
Based on its estimated track released by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Typhoon Rolly will pass the Luzon area and Bicol Region.
The weather bureau said there will be scattered heavy rains and destructive wind pressure from the storm.