Gov't agencies on alert for Crising

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Thursday raised its alert status to red in preparation for the impact of Tropical Depression Crising.

In an update, the NDRRMC said the agency shifted to the red alert status at 12 noon through its Memorandum No. 170 Series of 2025.

Red alert status is the highest level of alert to address an ongoing or anticipate an emergency.

This alert status requires response agency staffing at the NDRRM Operations Center and immediate interagency coordination.

Uniformed personnel and other concerned agencies shall immediately deploy personnel at the NDRRM Operation Center during emergency status to render 24-hour duty on a rotational basis.

In a statement, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said the agency has ramped up its preparations and is actively working with local government units (LGUs) and relevant agencies for Crising.

"Tayo po ay makinig, at kung maaari sumunod po at maghanda para sa mga weather disturbances po. We want your cooperation and we assure you of our continuous support and patuloy na pag-suporta sa mga LGUs natin,” OCD chief Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said.

(Let's listen, and if possible, follow and prepare for weather disturbances. We want your cooperation and we assure you of our continuous support and ongoing support for our LGUs.)

"We are ready to provide augmentation to the different LGUs na apektado. And constant ang aming communication with our regional offices and nakaready po ang mga resources natin to augment the LGUs,” he added.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. urged all government agencies and the public to work together in following precautionary measures and improving disaster preparedness.

''Patuloy pa rin po ang pagmo-monitor at pagbibigay po ng mga advisories sa mga stakeholders, sa ating mga kababayan,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said in a briefing.

(The monitoring and releasing of advisories to stakeholders and to the public continues.) 

''Pati po dito ang DOST-PAGASA ganoon din po, may continuous weather monitoring and provisions of weather updates to all stakeholders. Pati po ang DILG, ang DSWD ay nakaalerto na po patungkol po dito,'' she added.

(DOST-PAGASA has continuous weather monitoring and provisions of weather updates to all stakeholders. The DILG and DSWD are also on alert.)

The Coast Guard Marinduque and its Sub-Stations have activated their Deployable Response Group (DRG) and conducted intensified Baywatch patrols in the area in an effort to protect fisherfolk, residents, and maritime stakeholders within the area.

Flyers with safety reminders placing importance on vigilance, preparedness, and adherence to weather advisories were also distributed.

Preparations also include stronger coordination with the local government, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, and local emergency response agencies.

“The Coast Guard calls on the public especially the maritime sector to stay vigilant, monitor weather bulletins and strictly comply with safety advisories,” it said. 

Fourteen areas in Luzon are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 as Crising is expected to make landfall over Cagayan on Friday or Saturday, state weather bureau PAGASA said on Thursday.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said TCWS No. 1 was hoisted over the following areas:

• Southern portion of Batanes (Sabtang, Ivana, Uyugan, Mahatao, Basco)
• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• Isabela
• Quirino
• Northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kasibu, Quezon, Bagabag, Diadi, Bayombong, Solano, Ambaguio, Villaverde)
• Northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao)
• Apayao
• Abra
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Ilocos Norte
• Northern portion of Ilocos Sur (City of Vigan, Santa, Caoayan, Bantay, Nagbukel, Narvacan, Cabugao, San Juan, Sinait, Magsingal, San Ildefonso, Santo Domingo, San Vicente, Santa Catalina)
• Northern and eastern portions of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto)

Crising was located 520 kilometers east northeast of Juban, Sorsogon or 470 km east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes. 

The tropical depression was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 km per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

Crising was moving north northwestward at 25 km/h. —with Anna Felicia Bajo and Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News