LAOAG CITY, Oct. 13 -- Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos on Monday enjoined local government units and other concerned entities in the province to collaborate and adopt strategies for disaster preparedness, including assistance to affected communities.

"Bago pa man tumama ang bagyo, siguraduhin natin na nakahanda na ang tulong (Even before the cyclone hits, let us make sure that assistance has been readied)," Marcos said in an interview.

This comes after Ilocos Norte experienced nine cyclones in just four months, or from July to October, which resulted in floods and landslides that displaced thousands of residents and damaged crops and infrastructure.

"I have come to terms with the truth that in Ilocos Norte, there will alwa...