QUEZON CITY — Office of Civil Defense Administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, during the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment meeting on Sunday, instructed the concerned OCD Regional Directors to ensure that advisories, preparedness, and response measures for Tropical Depression “Enteng” and the Southwest Monsoon are effectively implemented and communicated to the affected Local Government Units (LGUs).
Attended by members of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and chaired by the OCD, the meeting highlighted the weather forecast, Risk Assessment Results, a list of anticipated needs, and other courses of action.
These entail activating the emergency preparedness and response (EPR) protocols that government agencies and LGUs should execute before and during the storm, elevating the NDRRM Operations Center’s alert status to RED, and mobilizing various response clusters, among other measures.
In the latest report of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), as of 4:00P.M today, Tropical Depression Enteng was observed 100 kilometers Northeast of Catarman, Northern Samar. It has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center, with gustiness of up to 70 km/h. The tropical depression is moving northwestward at 15 km/h.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal Number 1 has been raised in various parts of Luzon and Visayas. PAGASA warns of moderate to heavy, and heavy to intense rains expected from Sunday until Tuesday due to TD Enteng and the Southwest Monsoon. Gusty conditions are also anticipated in coastal and upland areas, according to the state weather bureau.
Information regarding areas experiencing heavy rainfall and gusty conditions can be obtained from bulletins released by PAGASA.
Meanwhile, for areas at risk of landslides and floods, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has been consistently issuing advisories to the concerned LGUs.
Usec. Nepomuceno also urged the body to reinforce coordination efforts in preparation for the impacts of weather disturbances.
The OCD maintains close coordination with various government agencies to monitor the situation and ensure the implementation of necessary measures. (OCD)
