OCD maintains blue alert, prepositions aid as new LPA threatens PH

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Monday that the country remains under blue alert status as a new low-pressure area (LPA) inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) could bring more rains, even after Tropical Storm Isang exited the country.

OCD spokesperson Junie Castillo said at the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing, their preparedness efforts continue nationwide, with relief goods and medical supplies already prepositioned in coordination with regional offices, local government units, and other response agencies.

“Hindi na po ibinaba yung blue alert status. So naka-standby pa rin po para doon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan at mga komunidad, dito po ang ating response agencies,” he said.

(The blue alert status was not lowered. Our response agencies remain on standby for the needs of our citizens and communities.)

Families affected by Isang and habagat

Castillo reported that 11,300 families were affected by the combined effects of the southwest monsoon (Habagat) and Tropical Storm Isang, with flooding recorded in several areas of Mindanao and Luzon.

“So far po, meron pa tayong battle areas sa BARMM, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, tatlong areas po ito doon… Ang mga ibang areas like in NCR, yung mga binaha sa NCR, subside na po ang binahang areas na ito.”

(So far, we still have flooded areas in BARMM, specifically in Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte. In NCR, the flooded areas have already subsided.)

Relief efforts and coordination

The OCD said pre-disaster risk assessments and scenario-building are ongoing in coordination with regional disaster councils to anticipate the needs of affected communities.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has also prepared family food packs nationwide, while the OCD has stockpiled hygiene kits.

Local government units, Castillo added, also have their own resources in place.

“Kasama dyan pagkain, damit at hygiene kits, pati na rin mga gamot from DOH. So nagpre-preposition ang ating DOH even to the regional and local level,” he said.

(This includes food, clothing, and hygiene kits, as well as medicines from the DOH, which also prepositions supplies down to the regional and local levels.)

In Bicol, evacuees have returned to their homes, but Castillo warned that communities must stay alert, especially with the possibility of the LPA developing into a tropical depression.

“Yes, sa Bicol nakabalik na po ito sa pagtutulungan ng OCD at regional DRRM councils kasama mga local government units. So nakabalik na ang mga evacuees doon.”

(Yes, in Bicol, evacuees have already returned through the efforts of OCD, regional DRRM councils, and local government units.)

Authorities are also monitoring ports in Sorsogon and other areas for increased travel movement, especially as residents prepare to return to Manila and classes resume.

Castillo reiterated the call for vigilance, citing the list of landslide and flood-prone barangays already identified by the Department of Agriculture and Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

“Maging alert and makinig sa local authorities kung ano ang sasabihin ng local authorities kung kailangan lumikas or kung ano ang dapat gawin,” he added.

(Be alert and listen to local authorities if they say evacuation is necessary or give instructions on what should be done.) — BAP, GMA Integrated News