‘”Crising’ may reach severe tropical storm category, to exit PAR today“
At least 10 provinces were placed under Signal No. 2 as tropical storm “Crising” barreled toward the country’s northern region.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council remained on red alert status as “Crising” and the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” continue to threated several parts of the countries. affecting thousands of families and prompting widespread preparedness measures.
In Metro Manila alone, 13 cities and the municipality of Pateros have suspended classes on Friday due to the weather condition.
Based on PAGASA’s 8 p.m. weather update yesterday, the center of the eye of “Crising” was estimated at 145 kilometers west of Calayan, Cagayan.
It was moving west northwestward at 20 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 105 km/h.
Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 2 remained in effect over Batanes, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, the northern and central portions of Abra (Manabo, Pidigan, San Juan, Tayum, Langiden, Boliney, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Lagangilang, Danglas, La Paz, Licuan-Baay, Tineg, Malibcong, Peñarrubia, San Isidro, Daguioman, San Quintin, Dolores, Lagayan, Bangued, Bucay, Lacub), the eastern portion of Mountain Province (Natonin, Paracelis), the eastern portion of Ifugao (Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista), Ilocos Norte, and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cabugao, Sinait, Magsingal, San Juan, San Ildefonso, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Caoayan, City of Vigan, Santa).
“Crising” was expected to make landfall over Babuyan Islands Friday evening.
It is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility today (Saturday) and is likely to continue to intensify until it reaches severe tropical storm category by evening or Sunday early morning.
As this developed, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday directed the establishment of additional disaster response centers across the country to strengthen the government’s ability to assist families affected by natural disasters and emergencies.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Mr. Marcos wants to ensure the safety of communities vulnerable to extreme weather events.
The President made the announcement during his visit to the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City, where he inspected fully automated packing machines used by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to prepare relief goods.
As part of its readiness efforts, the DSWD reported it has P2.9 billion in standby funds, along with a stockpile of 3 million family food packs, 28,107 boxes of ready-to-eat meals, and 334,791 non-food relief items.
The agency is continuing its packing operations in both the NROC in Pasay and the Visayas Disaster Resource Center in Cebu, with goods stored in 934 hubs nationwide.
Based on the latest report of the Disaster Response Operations Management, Information and Communication (DROMIC), a total of 5,022 families or 17,694 persons in 142 barangays in Regions 4-A (MIMAROPA), 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), and 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) have been affected by heavy rains.
The DSWD has already distributed P744,539-worth of family food packs and non-food items as initial aid to 1,000 disaster-hit families.
