The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has raised its operations center to blue alert starting noon on Friday to monitor the possible effects of Tropical Depression Isang.
In a Facebook post, NDRRMC said the status was raised “to closely monitor, consolidate, and ensure prompt coordination with concerned agencies and offices.”
Under a blue alert status, selected duty personnel are on standby in preparation for potential disaster escalation. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) leads the operations, supported by Detailed Duty Officers (DDOs) from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine National Police.
The team is also augmented by technical staff from DOST-PAGASA, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Health (DOH), among others.
As of 11 a.m., PAGASA reported that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is raised over 17 areas after Isang made landfall in Casiguran, Aurora. The tropical depression carries maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.
