The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has placed both its national and regional centers under a “blue alert” status for the past few days, intensifying its monitoring operations ahead of the projected landfall of Super Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi).
In a recent broadcast interview, OCD spokesperson Junie Castillo stated that regional offices in the National Capital Region, Cagayan Valley, and the Ilocos Region are currently under this heightened readiness level.
”Ilang araw na pong nakataas ang ‘blue alert’ status,” Castillo noted regarding the agency’s readiness.
Castillo explained that extensive mitigation strategies were initiated on July 6, which include preparing designated evacuation facilities and stockpiling essential food and emergency supplies for prompt distribution.
Concurrently, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has directed local government units to prepare for preemptive evacuations, focusing primarily on communities situated in flood-prone and landslide-susceptible areas.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is similarly preparing to reinforce disaster response initiatives.
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla affirmed that the military remains in close coordination with national and local disaster councils to streamline relief efforts.
”AFP air, land, and naval assets are likewise on standby for possible utilization in rescue, relief, transport, evacuation, and other disaster response operations. Appropriate directives are being issued to all concerned units to ensure preparedness, rapid mobilization, and effective coordination across all operational areas,” Padilla added.