The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1 (DSWD FO 1), as the Vice-chair for Disaster Response and Early Recovery, is on high alert after the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 1 (RDRRMC1) – Emergency Operations Center (EOC) raised the Alert Status from Blue to Red. This is in line with the government’s emergency preparedness protocols as Tropical Storm (TS) “Carina” maintains its strength while reducing speed over the Philippine Sea.

According to the latest update from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the enhanced Southwest Monsoon brought by TS “Carina” will bring moderate to intense rainfall over the western portion of Luzon starting tomorrow until Tuesday. Wind Signal No. 1 may be raised tonight or tomorrow over Extreme Northern Luzon and the northeastern portion of Cagayan due to the expected strong winds associated with “Carina.”

In anticipation of the storm’s effects, DSWD FO 1 has taken proactive measures to ensure readiness maintaining a total of 64,564 Food and Non-Food Items (FNFIs) and 13,269 Bottled Drinking Water prepositioned in 19 strategic Regional and Satellite Warehouses in the Region.

DSWD FO 1 assures the public that it is closely coordinating with local government units (LGUs) and other concerned agencies to ensure timely and appropriate response measures are in place should the situation escalate.

Coastal, landslide-prone, and flood-prone communities are advised to stay alert, follow advisories from authorities, keep local emergency numbers ready, and take precautions such as securing rooftops to ensure their safety during this weather disturbance.

Residents are urged to report to their respective LGUs in case the heavy rainfall affects them, so that LGUs can assess the situation and determine the appropriate assistance needed. By: Nicole Kasandra A. Lipawen, Information Officer II – Disaster Response Management Division