President Arroyo is still unsure whether or not she would attend a regional summit in Thailand this weekend amid the lurking threat of typhoon “Ramil” in the country.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the President may skip the 15th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and related meetings if typhoon Ramil hits Northern Luzon with devastating rains and floods.

Remonde, in an interview with the Manila Bulletin, said the President wants to personally monitor preparations for the typhoon as well as ensure that adequate measures are in place should there be a need for rescue and relief operations.

If the typhoon would leave a large trail of destruction, the President may send Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo to represent her in the summit of Southeast Asian leaders in Huahin, Thailand from October 23 to 25, according to Remonde.

“Everything is still fluid. We are monitoring the movement of the typhoon before the President decides if she will attend the ASEAN summit,” he said.

Should the typhoon weaken and its threat becomes negligible, Remonde said the President will proceed to Thailand and push for stronger regional action against climate change.

Remonde effectively contradicted earlier statements made by Deputy Presidential Spokesman for economic affairs Gary Olivar that the President will push ahead with her Thailand journey despite the lingering typhoon.

Olivar said the President could depend on competent public officials led by Defense Secretary and National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) chairman Gilbert Teodoro to handle the imminent disaster and its effects on lives and properties.

The President is tentatively scheduled to leave on Friday for the annual summit and return to Manila on Sunday.