President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered all concerned government agencies to implement proactive measures and ensure complete readiness as Tropical Depression Crising continues to intensify and threatens parts of Luzon and other regions.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said concerned government agencies are on heightened alert and are actively conducting pre-disaster risk assessments in line with the President’s directive.
“Mayroon pong mga direktiba ang ating Pangulo sa mga concerned agencies,” Castro said.
Castro said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has activated its blue alert status on July 16 to facilitate heightened monitoring, faster coordination, and preemptive response. The agency also mobilized the Virtual Emergency Operations Center to ensure smooth coordination of emergency responses.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) continuously issues weather advisories and bulletins to ensure public awareness regarding tropical cyclones.
The Palace official added that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) are on standby and prepared to respond to any emergency.
“Patuloy pa rin po ang pagmo-monitor at pagbibigay ng mga advisories sa mga stakeholders at sa ating mga kababayan,” Castro said.
Castro urged the public to remain vigilant, monitor weather advisories, and cooperate with local authorities to ensure safety and minimize potential impacts.
As of 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, Tropical Depression Crising was located 470 kilometers east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gusts of up to 70 kph.
Fourteen provinces are under signal no. 1, including Northeastern Catanduanes, Northern Aurora, Northeastern Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Isabela, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Southern Batanes, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Norte, and Northern Ilocos Sur.
PAGASA warned the public of possible widespread flooding and landslides in case of prolonged and heavy rains.
Crising is expected to reach severe tropical storm level before making landfall over Cagayan late Friday or early Saturday.
It is projected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility late Saturday or early Sunday. | PND
