Leyte, which lies in Typhoon Tino’s forecast path, is ready for its onslaught, an early warning officer in the province said on Monday afternoon.

In an interview on Balansyado, Roel Monteza of the Leyte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said that Leyte officials and staff are ready, and rescue gear has been prepared for deployment.

Monteza said that, compared to preventive evacuations conducted before Super Typhoon Yolanda, only a few people have refused to leave their homes this time around.

“Halos lahat ng mga tao rito, maliban nalang sa mga hindi masyadong maraming hindi mage-evacuate… sumusunod na sa kanilang mga barangay disaster officer tsaka ‘yung mga MDRRMO officers nila,” Monteza told the anchors.

Early warning officers keep locals in their jurisdiction informed on Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) advisories.