By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed concerned government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to intensify preparations and stay alert for the possible effects of Tropical Depression Mirasol.
In a press briefing at Malacañang on Wednesday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already prepositioned over 2.5 million family food packs (FFPs) in its warehouses nationwide for distribution to evacuation centers.
The DSWD will also deploy over 114,000 ready-to-eat food (RTEF) boxes intended for those who may possibly get stranded due to suspended sea travel.
Aside from food items, the agency also prepared more than 300,000 non-food items such as blankets; family, hygiene, and kitchen kits; and modular tents for those who will seek temporary shelters.
“Nakatutok na ang DSWD sa mga lugar na posibleng daanan ng bagyo para makapagpaabot ng agarang tulong sa mga maaapektuhang komunidad,” Castro said.
“Patuloy ang koordinasyon ng DSWD sa mga LGUs para siguruhin na mapabilis ang pagtulong sa mga maaapektuhan ng bagyo. Pinapaalalahanan din ang lahat na mag-ingat at sumunod sa mga direktiba ng mga LGUs para sa kanilang kaligtasan,” she added.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) placed its Operations Center on “blue alert” also in preparation for the possible effects of Tropical Depression Mirasol.
In its Memorandum No. 237, s. 2025, the NDDRMC said it raised the alert level from white to blue “to closely monitor, consolidate, and ensure prompt coordination with concerned agencies and offices.”
It added that primary or lead personnel from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), complemented by detailed duty officers (DDOs), shall render duty at the Operations Center.
“Ibig sabihin po naka-standby na po ‘yung ating mga response clusters para sa mga pangangailangan ng mga maaaring maapektuhan ntiong Bagyong Mirasol,” OCD Spokesperson Junie Castillo said in an interview on Rise and Shine Pilipinas.
“Naka-heightened din po ‘yung ating public awareness campaigns, ganon din po ‘yung pag-preposition ng ating mga resources,” he added.
As of 2:00 p.m., Tropical Depression Mirasol was last monitored in the vicinity of Tanudan, Kalinga. It is moving northwestward at 15 kph, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.
Mirasol is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm while over the Luzon Strait by Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the tropical cyclone will continue moving northwestward until it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday morning or afternoon.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 is likewise hoisted over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the northern and central portions of Aurora, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, the northeastern portion of Pangasinan, and the northern portion of Nueva Ecija.
-jpv
