In anticipation of the impacts from Typhoon Ofel (Usagi) and the approaching Tropical Storm Man-yi, soon to be named Pepito, local government units (LGUs) and national agencies in the Ilocos Region are taking decisive action. The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, for instance, has been actively training personnel in water search and rescue operations, as seen in a recent session held in Aguilar town.
The Ilocos Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-1) has escalated its alert status to red and implemented the Charlie Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Protocol starting at 8 a.m. on Thursday. This heightened alert signifies an imminent emergency, necessitating intense monitoring, coordination, and reporting. The Charlie EPR protocol is activated in response to high-risk situations.
Laurence Mina, the regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Ilocos, emphasized the importance of adhering to these protocols during a virtual forum hosted by the Philippine Information Agency. He particularly stressed the need for pre-emptive evacuations in areas likely to be directly affected by the storms.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau has released a Regional Geohazard Threat Advisory, pinpointing villages at risk of flooding and landslides due to heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has ensured the availability of over 88,000 family food packs and 9,700 non-food items across the region. These supplies are strategically distributed with 18,116 packs in Ilocos Norte, 9,078 in Ilocos Sur, 53,308 in La Union, and 7,577 in Pangasinan, with ongoing replenishment efforts in Pangasinan.
In addition to these measures, LGUs across the four provinces have mobilized personnel alongside the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Army for potential rescue and disaster response operations. The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) are also gearing up to provide rehabilitation and assistance to affected farmers and fisherfolk. The DA has already distributed buffer seeds to farmers impacted by previous weather disturbances and is continuing with assessments and validations.
Recent data from the DA indicates that Typhoon Marce (Yinxing) and Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami) caused significant damage to agricultural produce, affecting 2,057 metric tons of rice and 3,135.78 metric tons of high-value crops, with losses amounting to PHP38.4 million each. There are concerns about the impact of the incoming typhoons on newly planted and vegetative crops covering 10,457 and 4,000 hectares, respectively.
BFAR has distributed 2,110 food packs to affected fisherfolk and is preparing a rehabilitation proposal. The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development is also working with LGUs to implement the Emergency Shelter Assistance Program for residents whose homes were damaged by previous calamities.
As of the latest update from the state weather bureau at 8 p.m., Typhoon Ofel is weakening as it moves towards the Babuyan Islands, currently located over the coastal waters of Santa Teresita, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h and gusts up to 255 km/h.