The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Wednesday announced that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (NDRRMOC) raised its alert status from White to Blue Alert as the country braces for intensified rains from Tropical Depression “Crising” and other developing weather systems.
The alert was escalated Wednesday morning to facilitate heightened monitoring, faster coordination, and preemptive response.
With this status, key agencies including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine National Police (PNP) have activated Detailed Duty Officers to support round-the-clock operations.
The OCD said that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) projects that Crising could strengthen into a tropical storm by July 17, potentially reaching severe tropical storm or even typhoon status as it nears northern Luzon by Friday evening.
Meanwhile, two additional Tropical Cyclone-Like Vortices (TCLVs) are being closely monitored within or near the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). While these may not intensify into full tropical cyclones, their interaction with the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) could trigger heavy to torrential rainfall, especially in northern and western parts of the country.
In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for a whole-of-government response, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has called on both uniformed and civilian agencies to bolster early preparedness and community-level coordination.
A virtual Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is now active, enabling real-time coordination across regions. Local government units (LGUs) have likewise been advised to activate contingency plans, prepare relief supplies, and issue timely advisories to at-risk communities, particularly those in low-lying and coastal areas.
