Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the public on Thursday that the government is on top of the situation as Typhoon Leon (international name Kong-Rey) batters Northern Luzon. 'I assure the Filipino people that the government is ably handling all disaster management efforts. We remain in full control,' Marcos said in a statement. According to Philippines News Agency, although parts of the country are still reeling from the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami), the President said the government still has sufficient assets to 'mitigate the worst impact, recover from the wreckage, and rebuild stronger than before.' 'Relief and recovery efforts continue in areas affected by Kristine, while preparations are ramping up for Typhoon Leon,' he added. 'All agencies and instrumentalities of government remain on full alert, and remain ready to deploy aid wherever it may be needed.' The province of Batanes is under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3, where intense rai ns and storm-force winds are expected. Gale force winds will be experienced in Babuyan Islands, which is currently under TCWS No. 2. Meanwhile, strong winds are expected in areas under TCWS No. 1: mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern portion of Benguet (Mankayan, Bakun, and Buguias), Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur. Leon has weakened into a typhoon after entering super typhoon category Wednesday noon. As of the latest data from the weather bureau, Leon has maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph. It was located 155 km north of Itbayat, Batanes as of 10 a.m. Although it is not expected to make contact on Philippine land, it has been drenching parts of Northern Luzon, especially Batanes. It is forecast to make landfall over the eastern coast of Taiwan on Thursday afternoon before leaving the Philippine Area of Responsibility Thursday night or Friday.