ANTIPOLO CITY (PIA) – The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), chaired by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) CALABARZON has been raised to ‘blue’ alert status from March 26 to April 2, 2024 to closely monitor situation updates, high-density gatherings, and potential untoward incidents within the region during the Holy Week observance and the start of summer vacation.

In a pre-disaster assessment meeting on March 19, ‘standby’ protocol for the emergency preparedness for response has been activated wherein government agencies will conduct situation monitoring, anticipate response for any eventuality, continue to provide and cascade the latest updates, hazards, and threats, resource inventory, and respond to requests for assistance and augmentation following coordination protocols.

OCD regional director Carlos Eduardo Alvarez III emphasized the importance of public safety during this period. The director urged the public to be ready and to maintain close coordination to ensure the government's continuous monitoring of situations and availability of resources for deployment if needed. 

"Let’s all be ready and have close coordination to assure the public that the government, through the RDRRMC, is continuously working by monitoring situations and ensuring readily available resources to be deployed in case needed and ensure safety to the general public, especially in areas with a high density of population like pilgrim sites. It is always good to be ready," Alvarez said.

He added that the preparedness measures are heightened, especially in areas with high population density like pilgrim sites, and further emphasized the importance of readiness for any eventualities.

The RDRRMC Calabarzon has initiated the checking of preparatory measures of all local government units (LGUs), including major ports and terminals in the region in a bid to assess the situation and enhance safety measures in place.

From March 24 to 26, the Philippine Coast Guard has recorded 31,078 outbound passengers and 33,808 inbound passengers in all seaports throughout the region. The PCG said that they are on heightened alert status from March 24 to 31 ‘to ensure the safety and security of all sea travelers and coastal communities.

While in a separate statement, the Department of Health (DOH) Center for Health Development – Calabarzon said that they have declared a ‘white’ alert status, which indicates that all Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health (DRRM-H) counterparts in the local government units and all hospital staff are on standby and will activate and maintain the functions of the operations center and referral units that will function on a 24/7 basis. (MBL/PIA-Rizal)