Image obtained from wunderground.com shows the 5-day forecast map of Typhoon "Ramil" from 9 p.m. Saturday (orange marker, far right) until 9 p.m. Wednesday (red marker, far left)

Typhoon “Ramil” (international codename: “Lupit”) has intensified further as it continues to move towards Northern and Central Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Saturday.

Earlier, PAGASA Deputy Director Nathaniel Cruz noted the possibility for the typhoon to be as strong as typhoon “Pepeng” and follow the similar track it took last week, directly hitting Isabela and Cagayan provinces before it takes an exit towards Taiwan area.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph, Ramil was located as of 4 p.m. on Saturday at 940 kms East of Casiguran, Aurora. It is moving West Northwest at 13 kph.

The weather bureau expected Ramil to be at about 765 kilometers East Northeast of Casiguran, Aurora by Sunday morning and at 590 kilometers East Northeast of the province by Monday afternoon if it does not change its current status.

Pepeng’s death toll reached 375 and caused billions of pesos worth of damage to properties, infrastructures, and agriculture, which prompted the rescue and retrieval as well as rehabilitation operations to continue in Northern Luzon.

The provinces of Isabela, Cagayan, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan have yet to fully recover from the calamity.

With Ramil’s threat, Malacañang directed the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) to enhance its disaster preparedness schemes.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said President Arroyo called anew on the NDCC to reassess and intensify its disaster response in anticipation of Ramil which is expected to batter north Luzon.

“The President reiterated its directive to the NDCC to enhance its preparation in the local and national level,” he told radio DZRB.

He also asked the public to pray that the country will be spared from such severe weather disturbance and to work hand-in-hand with the government in pursuing its relief and rehabilitation efforts after tropical storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng” struck the Philippines in a span of a week.

“Magtulungan tayo at magdasal tayo that God who has indefinite power, will spare us from these calamities,” Remonde said.

Reacting to a photo published on the front page of the Manila Bulletin showing residents who returned to creeksides in North Fairview, Quezon City amid the President’s directive to relocate them, he said they will ask the local government units (LGUs) to strictly implement such order.

“We appeal to the LGUs in Quezon City (to carry out the President’s directive),” he said.