The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) assured the public on Tuesday that the government is on red alert and fully prepared to assist families affected by southwest monsoon.

In a Palace briefing, OCD Officer-in-Charge and Assistant Secretary Rafaelito Alejandro IV said various government agencies are working proactively to ensure that aid reaches affected areas and residents as quickly as possible.

“We are ready po with all the agencies na miyembro ng NDRRMC na naka-red alert po,” Alejandro said.

“Ready po ang ating mga search and rescue teams, ang ating mga transportation, ‘yung ating mga relief goods from DSWD, medical teams from DOH, and of course, ‘yung ating mga strategic transport from the Armed Forces ay nakahanda po at ‘yun pong OCD ay naka-red alert kasama ang mga 44 other member agencies,” Alejandro added.

Alejandro said as of Tuesday morning, there are almost 500 operating evacuation centers, according to the latest update from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

An estimated 17,000 individuals are currently taking shelter inside these facilities, while another 65,000 are outside the evacuation centers.

Alejandro said the most affected areas include Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Negros Island Region, and Panay Island.

Alejandro also echoed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call to the public to follow official instructions, especially when preemptive evacuation is necessary.

“Ito po ang panawagan namin, kung maaari po, kung talaga po ay makinig tayo. Sabi po ng ating Pangulo, sumunod po tayo sa mga babala, sa mga abiso na binibigay ng ating mga authorities kung may kailangan pong panawagan na mag-preemptive evacuation, sumunod po tayo,” he said.

“Nakahanda po ang gobyerno na magbigay ayuda o tulong. Nandiyan po ang ating DSWD, ang ating DOH, ang ating Armed forces na handang tumulong at magbigay suporta sa ating mga local government units,” Alejandro said. | PND