OCD: GOV’T READY TO RESPOND TO TROPICAL STORM ‘CRISING,’ HABAGAT IMPACT

IN line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has prepared for the possible effects of Tropical Storm “Crising” and the intensified southwest monsoon, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Friday.

“Alinsunod po sa direktiba ng ating Pangulo na pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan, ang NDRRMC Operation Center po ay naka-alerto na, red alert na po simula kahapon and even the previous days ay naka-blue alert na po tayo,” OCD spokesperson Junie Castillo said in a Palace press briefing.

“Ibig sabihin po, lahat ng ating mga response capacities, lahat ng ating mga response personnel at saka iyong mga prepositioned po na food and non-food items ay nakahanda po itong mai-deploy,” Castillo said.

The inter-agency coordinating council has conducted a pre-disaster risk assessment and scenario building even before the cyclone entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) to determine people’s needs and areas that may be affected, he added.

The national response cluster is also continuing its monitoring and preparations, in collaboration with the regional offices of the OCD and regional DRRM councils.

Castillo said the President visited the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City to oversee preparations for the prepositioning of relief goods.

“Nationwide po ay naka-preposition na po tayo doon sa ating mga food and non-food items, mga family food packs,” he said.

Castillo said that as of 9 a.m. Friday, there were around 7,500 affected families in Mimaropa, Western and Central Visayas, and Soccsksargen.

RAINY WEEKEND IN MM, PARTS OF LUZON

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Metro Manila and parts of Luzon are set for a rainy weekend with Tropical Storm Crising around.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin on July 18, PAGASA said Crising will move generally northwestward within the next 12 hours and is forecast to make landfall over mainland Cagayan or Babuyan Islands.

PAGASA said Crising will bring stormy weather across Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Ilocos Region.

Nueva Ecija and Aurora, as well as the rest of northern Luzon, will also have rainy conditions and gusty winds.

The western parts of Central and Southern Luzon and Visayas are set to have occasional rains.

The weather bureau said for July 20 to July 24, although Crising will be outside the PAR, the southwest monsoon or habagat will continue to bring occasional rains to the western sections of Luzon and Visayas.

STORM SURGE WARNING

PAGASA said storm surge warning up over four Luzon provinces ni Northern Luzon as Crising looms

These provinces are Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Isabela.

 “A minimal to moderate risk of storm surge may occur in the next 48 hours. However, residents along the coast are advised to take extra precautions due to high waves,” PAGASA said.

Crising is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility afternoon of July 19, moving west northwestward.