The Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) downgraded its alert status to “White” on Sunday, based on data from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).
According to the MGB, no barangays in the National Capital Region (NCR) are at risk of flooding or landslides until November 1.
“Based on these conditions, it was recommended that the MMDRRMC alert level be downgraded to White, effective at 5:00 PM today,” stated the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) NCR.
This decision followed a virtual pre-disaster risk assessment meeting aimed at providing weather updates to member agencies and the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs) in NCR regarding Tropical Storm Leon and Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
The meeting was chaired by lawyer Cris Saruca on behalf of MMDRRMC chairperson Romando Artes.
As of noon on October 27, 2024, the OCD reported that no areas in NCR have experienced flooding. However, a State of Calamity has been declared in Quezon City (Resolution No. SP-9832, S-2024).
In Quezon City, 2,762 families comprising 12,622 individuals have been evacuated across 163 barangays, with 41 evacuation centers currently in use, including 38 schools. The distribution of evacuation centers includes: Caloocan City (1), Pasay City (13), Taguig City (1), San Juan City (4), Valenzuela City (2), and Marikina (20). Other cities such as Las Piñas, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasig, Pateros, and Quezon City have reported no active evacuation centers.
During the meeting, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) NCR provided updates on the number of affected individuals and urged the City Social Welfare and Development Offices (CSWDOs) to maintain current records.
MMDRRMC Senior Deputy Chair George Keyser reminded local government units (LGUs) of a directive from the Secretary of National Defense to establish a Humanitarian Response Lane from NCR to Southern Luzon, particularly the Bicol Region, to prioritize humanitarian assistance.
NCR LGUs are advised to collaborate with local bus companies to defer travel to these regions, ensuring that humanitarian efforts take precedence over regular transportation services.
