MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (RDRRMC) 1 (Ilocos Region) Emergency Operations Center on Thursday raised its alert status to red due to threats posed by Typhoon Marce (international name Yinxing).
It also activated the Charlie Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Protocol effective 8 a.m.
Red alert is activated when there is an imminent emergency situation, hence the need for the highest level of monitoring, coordination, and reporting, while Charlie EPR protocol indicates high risk.
The council secretariat of RDRRMC-1 also requested all local DRRM offices to submit preparedness measures and anticipated needs and situational reports to their respective provincial DRRM offices for consolidation and submission to RDRRMC-1.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 has been raised over the northern part of Cagayan (Gonzaga, Santa Ana, Santa Teresita, Lal-lo, Buguey, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Gattaran, Ballesteros, Allacapan, Abulug, Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, Santa Praxedes, Lasam) including Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of Apayao (Santa Marcela, Luna, Flora, Calanasan, Pudtol), and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Bangui, Vintar, Dumalneg, Adams, Bacarra, Pasuquin, Burgos).
TCWS No. 3 over Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, the rest of Apayao, the rest of Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Abra (Tineg, Danglas, Lagayan, Lacub, San Juan, La Paz, Bangued), and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Sinait, Cabugao, San Juan, Magsingal, Santo Domingo).
Also, TCWS No. 2 over the northern and central portions of Isabela (San Pablo, Santa Maria, Divilacan, Tumauini, Maconacon, Cabagan, Santo Tomas, Quezon, Palanan, Ilagan City, Mallig, Delfin Albano, Quirino, San Mariano, Gamu, Roxas, Naguilian, Burgos, Reina Mercedes, Benito Soliven, Luna, Aurora, San Manuel, San Mateo, Alicia, Angadanan, City of Cauayan, Cabatuan), the rest of Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, the northern portion of Ifugao (Alfonso Lista, Aguinaldo, Mayoyao, Banaue, Hungduan), the northern portion of Benguet (Bakun, Mankayan), the rest of Ilocos Sur, and the northern portion of La Union (Sudipen, Bangar, Balaoan, Luna, Santol)
The rest of La Union, Pangasinan, Ifugao, Benguet, and Isabela; Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler), the northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan), and the northern portion of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria) have been placed under TCWS No. 1.
In Ilocos Norte, disaster response officials were checking flood-prone areas.
Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc issued a statement early Thursday urging residents to stay home and secure their roofs, windows, and doors and watch out for flying debris, such as tree branches.
“Wind will be our biggest challenge this time, especially to northern Ilocos Norte,” he said, announcing also the cancellation of classes at all levels and government work.
In Laoag City, Dr. Melvin Manuel, head of the city DRRM office, said in a media interview that the Emergency Operations Center has been monitoring low-lying villages prone to flooding.
“Now that there is no rain yet, please move your animals to a safer ground and prepare your things for pre-emptive evacuation once we come to you and bring you to the evacuation centers that are now prepared, along with 2,800 relief packs on standby,” Manuel said.
As of this posting, the amount of rainfall was still manageable.
Manuel, however, said threatened residents should inform their village chief for proper coordination and quick response. (With a report from Leilanie Adriano/ PNA)
