BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council(CDRRMC) has activated its virtual Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and raised its alert level to “Red” on Monday (November 4) in preparation for the possible effects of Tropical Cyclone Marce.
This will ensure a 24/7 monitoring of weather updates and situational reports, prompt issuance of weather and public advisories, response readiness and close coordination and interoperability among CRDRRMC member agencies and all the local DRRM councils in the region.
The CRDRRMC headed by Office of Civil Defense-CAR Regional Director Albert Mogol also convened a Pre-Disaster Response Assessment (PDRA) meeting to discuss the weather outlook and the possible effects of Tropical Cyclone Marce, and updates from the Response Cluster member agencies and the provincial DRRM councils.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development shared that Marce could potentially affect about 51,946 population in Cordillera based on the Predictive Analytics for Humanitarian Response based on the GSM (Global Spectral Model) and WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting).
Mostly affected are the provinces of Apayao and some areas in Abra that would require 10,379 Family Food Packs (FFP).
The DSWD assured enough stockpile in the region with 64,088 FFPs and P53.34 million worth of non-food items available.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau also shared that based on the PAGASA rainfall forecast and WRF for period of November 4 to 9, 234 barangays may be susceptible to rain-induced landslide mostly in Abra, Apayao, and Benguet (including Baguio City). The list will be provided to the concerned LGUs.
Mogol, in his directive, called for heightened monitoring and a continuing pro-active actions and close coordination between and among CRDRRMC member agencies and the local DRRMs councils in the region to ensure safe and resilient communities in Cordillera.
In a memorandum issued on Nov. 3, Mogol reiterated compliance to the tropical cyclone omnibus guidelines and preparedness measures for council member agencies, local DRRM Councils and the general public.
Based on the Tropical Cyclone bulletin issued by PAGASA at 5:00PM of Nov. 5, 2024, ‘Marce’ slightly intensified over the Philippine Sea east of Isabela.
“It has a maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 160 km/h, and central pressure of 975 hPa. It is moving northwestward at 25 km/h. Strong to typhoon-force winds extend outwards up to 360 km from the center.”
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal 1 is hoisted over the Cordillera provinces of Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern portion of Benguet (Mankayan, Buguias, Kabayan, Bakun, Kibungan, Atok, Bokod).
Everyone is advised to be vigilant and to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
