Latest news with #NDRRMC
GMA Network
15-06-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
AFP coordinating with NDRRMC for swift disaster response amid rainy season
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is working closely with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to ensure prompt disaster response to affected areas this rainy season, spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said Sunday. 'Aktibo ang ating mga unified command at task forces sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa NDRRMC at iba pang ahensiya ng pamahalaan upang tiyakin ang mabilis at coordinated na pagtugon sa mga emergency,' Padilla told Super Radyo dzBB. (Our unified command and task forces are actively coordinating with the NDRRMC and other government agencies to ensure a rapid and coordinated response to emergencies.) She added the AFP also has prepositioned assets and trained personnel in high-risk areas that can be immediately deployed in times of need. 'Patuloy ang ating regular and advanced training sa ating mga tropa sa disaster response operation. Kabilang diyan ang water search and rescue, casualty evacuation, at first aid,' Padilla said. (We continuously conduct regular and advanced training for our personnel in disaster response operations. This includes water search and rescue, casualty evacuation, and first aid.) She added that the training is being done to maintain preparedness among military personnel. On June 2, state weather bureau PAGASA announced the beginning of the rainy season in the country. PAGASA had also declared the start of the Habagat or Southwest Monsoon season in the Philippines.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
07-06-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
DSWD: 3M boxes of family food packs prepositioned for possible storm
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Saturday said its Disaster Response Command Center (DRCC) is now on blue alert status as it monitors the development of the low pressure area (LPA) spotted east of Guiuan, Eastern Visayas. In line with this, the DSWD said it has prepositioned three million boxes of family food packs (FFPs), with over 360,000 non-food items, in the different hubs, spokes, and last miles across the country, in line with the directive of Secretary Rex Gatchalian. 'Following the order from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), DSWD's DRCC is now fully activated to monitor and prepare for any possible effects of the weather disturbance,' said Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD's Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG). Apart from the prepositioned relief items, response teams in the different DSWD Field Offices are on standby and in close coordination with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), NDRRMC, and local government units (LGUs), according to the agency. Even during the celebration of Eid'l Adha, the DSWD said its Quick Response Team (QRT) held a duty briefing and agency personnel continue their work to ensure that timely help will reach communities when needed. 'Our duty to serve does not pause for holidays. Gaya nga ng laging sinasabi ni Secretary Gatchalian, 365 days, hindi tumitigil ang disaster preparation ng DSWD. We remain on alert to make sure that our fellow Filipinos, especially the vulnerable, are safe and supported during times of uncertainty,' DSWD spokesperson Dumlao said. The DSWD reminded the public to stay alert and monitor periodic announcements from local authorities. PAGASA said early Saturday morning that there was still a "medium" chance for the LPA off the Catanduanes coast to develop into a tropical depression. At 3 a.m., the LPA was located 240 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, bringing cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms to the Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao Region, Aurora, and Quezon. The NDRRMC raised the Operations Center alert status to blue at 3 p.m. Friday in response to the said LPA. According to a statement on Friday, NDRRMC is aiming to mitigate the impact of widespread rains, flooding, and rain-induced landslides caused by the LPA and the Southwest Monsoon. All Regional and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (R/LDRRMCs), as well as OCD Regional Offices, have been instructed to implement their minimum preparedness checklists, which include the activation of several response teams, the preparation of emergency resources, and the establishment of communication systems. Officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine National Police (PNP) will also be mandated to render duty for immediate response. —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
06-06-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
NDRRMC raises blue alert as LPA threatens Eastern Visayas
The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) has raised the Operations Center (NDRRMOC) alert status to blue at 3 p.m. in response to a low-pressure area (LPA) near Guiuan, Eastern Visayas. According to a statement on Friday, NDRRMC is aiming to mitigate the impact of widespread rains, flooding, and rain-induced landslides caused by the LPA and the Southwest Monsoon. All Regional and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (R/LDRRMCs), as well as OCD Regional Offices, have been instructed to implement their minimum preparedness checklists, which include the activation of several response teams, the preparation of emergency resources, and the establishment of communication systems. Officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine National Police (PNP) will also be mandated to render duty for immediate response. 'Early action in disaster preparedness is vital, with the OCD's goal to stay ahead of disasters to reduce their impact on lives and livelihoods,' the statement read. According to NDRRMC, the blue alert status is raised to prepare for slow-onset hazard events. Earlier, PAGASA reported that the LPA sighted at 240 kilometers East of Virac, Catanduanes around 3 p.m. had a 'medium chance' of developing into a tropical depression beyond the next 24 hours. –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
06-06-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
LPA east of Virac, Catanduanes has 'medium' chance of turning into cyclone
Low pressure area spotted at 240 kilometers East of Virac, Catanduanes, June 6, 2025. (Photo from PAGASA-DOST) The low pressure area (LPA) monitored inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility has a "medium" chance of development into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours, PAGASA said on Friday. The LPA was last seen at 240 kilometers East of Virac, Catanduanes around 3 p.m., according to weather specialist Loriedin de la Cruz-Galicia on Friday. Meanwhile, the Southwest Monsoon will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM, and SOCCSKSARGEN. Aurora, Quezon, Bicol Region, and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the LPA, as the Southwest Monsoon is expected to bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms over the rest of Luzon. Possible flash floods or landslides may occur in some areas as a result of said weather conditions. Meanwhile, light to moderate winds with slight to moderate coastal waters will occur over the Philippines. Temperatures in the country will range from a minimum of 26.3°C to a maximum of 33.2°C over the next 24 hours. Sunrise in Metro Manila will be at 5:26 a.m. on Saturday. Red rainfall warning in Cebu The red rainfall warning has been raised over Cebu, according to a heavy rainfall advisory issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) on Friday. Red rainfall warnings are often raised when more than 30mm of rain is observed within an hour and is expected to continue within the next 2 hours. NDRRMC warned residents in the area to expect heavy rainfall, flooding, and possible landslides. Meanwhile, orange rainfall warning was issued over Negros Occidental, Bohol, and Negros Oriental at around 5 p.m. A possibility of heavy rains, flooding, and landslides may occur. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
31-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Tacloban mayor Romualdez seeks transparency in San Juanico Bridge repair project
Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez has called for full transparency and expert evaluation on the planned rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge, which links the islands of Samar and Leyte in Eastern Visayas. The Tacloban City Council declared a state of emergency on Thursday to expedite the mobilization of resources following the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) recommendation to limit use of the bridge due to safety concerns. 'So, to be quite frank, medyo nalilito rin ako (I am perplexed),' Romualdez said in a video statement. 'I feel the public should be given all the information pertaining to the condition of the bridge,' he added. He urged the national government to disclose the study that determined the bridge's current state and provide details on the extent of the damage and the timeline for repairs. 'This is not the first time,' he said, recalling a previous repair on the bridge 20 years ago that allowed for a six-month preparation period. Romualdez emphasized the need for independent experts to assess the bridge's condition and verify the cost of rehabilitation, which was initially estimated at P800 million but now stands at P7 billion. 'Even if you spend P7 billion, a feasibility study, a project study, and a careful analysis should have been made,' he said. He also warned against using the current crisis to justify the construction of another bridge without going through the right process. A recent assessment by the DPWH raised concerns about the bridge's structural integrity. As part of precautions, the DPWH has temporarily prohibited vehicles weighing more than three tons from crossing the 2.16-kilometer bridge. Since May 18, pedestrians have been prohibited from crossing the bridge on foot. Instead, they should use coasters and light vehicles for their safety. On Friday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the restrictions on San Juanico Bridge could result in up to P600 million in monthly economic losses, as 14,000 vehicles cross the infrastructure daily. 'The abrupt imposition of restrictions has stranded more than 200 vehicles and is projected to result in monthly economic losses ranging from P300 million to P600 million,' the NDRRMC said. Among the affected sectors are food and fuel supply, delivery of healthcare services, commercial distribution, and regional trade. Aside from Tacloban City, Samar Province is under a state of emergency due to the bridge repair project. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
