The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has been placed on heightened alert ahead of the anticipated entry of Super Typhoon Bavi in the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday evening or early Wednesday.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Super Typhoon ''Bavi'' will be given the local name "Inday" when it enters the Philippine area of responsibility.

In its 11 am bulletin, Pagasa said the super typhoon slightly weakened with winds at 185 kilometers per hour from 205 kilometers per hour on Monday evening. It was located 1,845 kilometers east of Central Luzon. Weather forecaster Grace Castaneda said the super typhoon's trend is that it is weakening.

Castaneda said even if the super typhoon will not make landfall ''its radius is quite large and strong winds could be felt in the northern and eastern sections of Northern Luzon.'' She told OneNews that ''mostly likely wind signals will be raised tomorrow morning or in the afternoon'' in these areas. The super typhoon's radius is 800 kilometers, she added.

The highest wind signals that could be raised in these areas are signal number two or three, Castaneda added.

Metro Manila, the western section of Northern and Central Luzon will be among the areas affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon by Friday, said Castaneda.

The Palace on Monday had ordered pre-emptive evacuations in high-risk areas, securing of safe evacuation centers, the establishment of livestock equipment zones, and the pre-positioning of rescue teams.

The PCG intensified preparations for the possible impact of the super typhoon, particularly in the National Capital Region, Northeastern Luzon, Northwestern Luzon, and the Bicol Region.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan directed all concerned Coast Guard districts, stations, and sub-stations to implement preparedness measures and maintain close coordination with local disaster risk reduction and management councils and local government units to safeguard coastal communities and maritime stakeholders.

Commander Michael John Encina, PCG acting spokesperson, said the "preparations include facilitating the early evacuation of residents in high-risk coastal areas, issuing sea travel advisories, securing ports and other Coast Guard facilities, and prepositioning deployable response groups for immediate dispatch."

"The PCG Auxiliary has also been mobilized to augment preparedness and response operations," he said.

"The PCG is also intensifying engagements with fisherfolk and coastal community residents to encourage compliance with evacuation directives," he added. Robina Asido/PHS