BICOL - The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Bicol has escalated its alert status to red across all disaster response offices in preparation for the impending effects of Tropical Depression (TD) Enteng.
According to Philippines News Agency, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Bicol Director and Chairperson of the Bicol RDRRMC, a memorandum issued on Sunday declared the escalation from blue to red alert as TD Enteng is anticipated to bring moderate to heavy rains to the region. "Due to possible effects of this weather disturbance in the region, the RDRRMC emergency operations center is raising its alert status to red starting September," the memorandum stated. Response clusters involving various national agencies have been activated, including the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and others responsible for crucial services such as food distribution, telecommunications, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations.
Yucot emphasized the readiness required of all response clusters, ordering them to submit regular updates twice daily at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. This protocol ensures timely data collation and response coordination. Additionally, Yucot has directed the Philippine Coast Guard and all Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices to enforce a no-sailing policy, reporting that 21 passengers are currently stranded at the port of Bulan in Sorsogon.
The importance of maintaining communication with the community, especially amidst possible disruptions to power and connectivity, was highlighted by Yucot, who instructed local disaster management councils to prepare all response assets for immediate deployment. Evacuations for high-risk areas are to be led by local DRRMCs in coordination with relevant agencies.
As of the latest update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration has placed several provinces in Bicol and other regions under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, indicating that TD Enteng maintains its strength and is moving northwestward.