Region 1 braces for possible effects of Kiyapo

Local disaster officials in Pangasinan and neighboring regions stepped up preparations for Severe Tropical Storm Kiyapo on Friday, July 24, 2026, stockpiling relief supplies, activating emergency teams and raising alert levels as the storm threatened to bring heavy rain and stronger Southwest Monsoon.

In Barangay Poblacion, Mangaldan, village officials spent the day repacking sacks of rice for possible distribution to affected residents. Disaster-response equipment has also been readied for immediate deployment.

Barangay officials said they have established communication channels and online monitoring systems to keep residents informed as the storm approaches.

"Mayroon din kaming laging handang GC. Constituent namin 'yung mga member doon. Mayroon din po kaming monitoring online pagdating ng mga bagyo," Barangay Councilman Jose Jorge Fabia said.

(We also maintain an active group chat with our constituents, and we conduct online monitoring whenever there are tropical cyclones.)

The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) also reminded local disaster councils, particularly in the province's eastern upland towns, to stay alert for possible landslides if heavy rains persist.

"Ganoon din sa mga upland areas, particularly sa may eastern section ng Pangasinan, kung saan may tsansa ng mga landslide kapag tuloy-tuloy 'yung mga pag-ulan diyan," Pia Flores, head of the PDRRMO Emergency Operations, said.

(The same precaution applies to upland areas, particularly in eastern Pangasinan, where continuous rainfall could trigger landslides.)

Flores said the province's Emergency Operations Center remains under heightened monitoring to track the movement of Tropical Storm Kiyapo and respond quickly to any emergencies.

"Nananatiling naka-heightened monitoring ang Emergency Operations Center para po sa pag-monitor sa development ng Tropical Storm Kiyapo at sa mga possible effects niya," she said.

(The Emergency Operations Center remains on heightened alert as it monitors the development of Tropical Storm Kiyapo and its possible effects.)

In the Cordillera and Ilocos regions, Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils have raised a Blue Alert and conducted pre-disaster risk assessments ahead of the storm.

Although Kiyapo is not expected to make a direct impact on the Cordillera region, weather officials warned that it could strengthen the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), bringing localized thunderstorms and heavy rains.

"Nandiyan pa 'yung weather system natin na Habagat. Siyempre, 'yung normal na Habagat na 'yan, magkakaroon pa rin tayo ng localized thunderstorm na siyang nagpapaulan," PAGASA-Dagupan Chief Meteorological Officer Engr. Jose Estrada Jr. said.

(The Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) weather system is still present. Of course, the usual Habagat conditions will still bring localized thunderstorms that cause rainfall.)

Authorities urged residents to continue monitoring official weather advisories and prepare for possible flooding and landslides. — GMA Regional TV News