Gov’t ramps up interventions for Tropical Depression ‘Isang’

By Brian Campued

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) raised the blue alert status on Friday to monitor the possible effects of Tropical Depression Isang and ensure prompt coordination with concerned government agencies and offices for responses.

Under the Memorandum No. 214, s. 2025, the NDRRMC placed its operation center under blue alert “primarily in preparation for a slow onset disaster or in anticipation of situation escalation, requiring selected duty personnel.”

Primary or lead personnel from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), complemented by Detailed Duty Officers (DDOs), are likewise tasked to render duty at the operations center.

As of 1:00 p.m., Isang was monitored in the vicinity of Maddela, Quirino, and is moving west-northwestward at 20kph. It packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, and the northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Lupao, Carranglan, Pantabangan, San Jose City).

To ensure the safety of residents, the Coast Guard District Northwestern Luzon also mobilized its Deployable Response Group for possible dispatch in emergencies in the area.

The Department of Health (DOH), meanwhile, cautions the public against wading through floods, as they can contract leptospirosis.

“Kung nakalusong, may sintomas man o wala, hugasan ng malinis na tubig at sabon ang [bahagi ng] katawang nadikit sa baha,” DOH Spokesperson ASec. Albert Domingo said in a statement, urging the people to immediately seek consultation through health centers or leptospirosis fast lanes at DOH hospitals.

Heavy rains have already caused floods in different thoroughfares in Manila, including Roxas Boulevard (Kalaw), and Pasay City, according to the flood alert report of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) as of 2:50 p.m.

Several local government units (LGUs) likewise suspended afternoon in-person classes, with some localities advising schools to shift to alternative learning modalities.

To ensure the safety of commuters amid inclement weather, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) as well as the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) and Line 2 (LRT-2) are also offering free rides for passengers, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced.

-jpv