RDRRMC downgrades Calabarzon to Blue Alert Status |

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The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) of Calabarzon announced on Wednesday that the region’s alert status has been downgraded from Red to Blue following the exit of Tropical Cyclone (TC) Pepito (Man-yi) from the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). In a phone interview, Regional Director Carlos Eduardo E. Alvarez III of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Calabarzon and chairperson of the RDRRMC, confirmed the downgrade through the agency’s Memorandum No. 178, series of 2024.

The change took effect on November 20, 2024. Alvarez explained that the “situation at the local level is manageable,” though relief operations continue in some areas, particularly in Polillo Island, Quezon Province, under the administration of the Quezon Provincial Government. He emphasized that the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (RDRRMOC) will maintain its monitoring activities and close coordination with relevant offices. “Part of our continuous monitoring includes Taal Volcano, which is under our area of responsibility,” Alvadez added.

Alvarez credited the region’s zero casualty record during TC Pepito to the successful pre-emptive evacuation efforts conducted before the storm passed through Calabarzon. “I commend the cooperation of the public and other government agencies in these evacuation efforts,” he said. He also highlighted the support provided by partner agencies. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Calabarzon deployed two Starlink communication units to address connectivity issues in affected areas, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region IV-A prepositioned food packs in Polillo Island even before the cyclone’s arrival. The RDRRMC assured the public that it remains vigilant and prepared to respond to any emerging situations in the region.