The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has declared a “blue” alert status and advised all local government units in Luzon and Visayas to strengthen their preparations for the onslaught of tropical depression “Carina”.
The Blue alert requires half of the agency’s personnel to be ready for contingencies.
NDRRMC issued Memorandum Circular No. 26 raising alert status to Blue Alert and subsequently directing its concerned member-agencies to send their respective Detailed Duty Officers (DDOs) to render duty at the NDRRMC.
Likewise, RDRRMCS concerned are requested to submit their respective disaster preparedness reports to NDRRMC.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a directive to all concerned Regional Offices (1, 2, 3, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, 5, 6, 7, 8 , CAR and Caraga) to activate their respective Disaster Monitoring and Reporting Systems to inform all concerned Provincial Directors and Local Chief Executives directed to perform the following actions:
– Assist in the conduct of their respective RDRRMC Pre-Disaster Risk Assesment (PDRA) meeting in close coordination with your Office of Civil Defense (OCD), PAGASA, and DENR counterparts;
-Ensure the participation of respective RDRRMC member-agencies during the said meeting;
-Activate their respective DILG Regional Operation Center;
-Closely monitor the situation in their Area of Responsibility (AORs); and
Monitor updates from PAGASA via http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph and DOST Noah http://noah.dost.gov.ph.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development has prepositioned a total of Php952,313,694.09 standby funds and stockpile available at the field offices in Regions CAR, NCR, 1, 2, 3, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Caraga and National Operations Center as of Friday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tropical Depression “Carina” packed with maximum winds of 55 kph near the center. and moves in north northwest direction at 15 kph.
Maintaining its speed and movement, “Carina” is forecast to make landfall in Cagayan-Isabela area by Sunday evening.
TD Carina is also expected to intensify into typhoon category and is expected to exit the country by Monday heading towards Southern China.
PAGASA has hoisted Public Storm Signal No 1 over the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Northern Aurora, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon in Luzon while Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Samar in Visayas.
Areas under TCWS #1, the rest of Visayas and the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate are alerted against moderate to heavy rains which may trigger flash floods and landslides.
The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 300 km diameter of the Tropical Depression.
Fisherfolk are alerted against moderate to rough seas over the eastern seaboard of Luzon and Visayas.
The Southwest Monsoon enhanced by TD Carina will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains over MIMAROPA. (Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan/PNA)
