The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has activated the “Charlie” protocol—the highest level of emergency preparedness—in seven regions in response to the potential impacts of Tropical Depression Kristine.
The regions under this protocol include the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Regions II, III, V, VIII, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA, all of which are identified as high-risk areas in the event of an emergency.
Region I and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are currently under the “Bravo” protocol, indicating a moderate risk, while the National Capital Region, Regions VI, VII, XII, IX, X, and CARAGA are classified under the “Alpha” protocol, representing a low risk. Region XI is presently assessed as having no to very low risk.
According to the latest 5 PM bulletin from PAGASA, Tropical Depression Kristine was located approximately 760 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar. The storm is moving westward at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching up to 70 kilometers per hour.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has been issued for 18 areas, including the southeastern portion of Isabela (Palanan, Dinapigue), Aurora, and various locales across Quezon, the Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate (including Ticao Island and Burias Island), Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte (including Siargao and the Bucas Grande Group).
Forecasts indicate that Kristine may intensify into a storm within the next 12 hours, potentially reaching severe tropical storm status by Wednesday and typhoon status by Thursday, with landfall expected over the northeastern portion of Cagayan by Friday afternoon.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development projects that approximately 33,531,886 individuals could be affected by Kristine. Additionally, the number of barangays vulnerable to landslides and floods has risen to 21,213, according to the latest report from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
The OCD is actively coordinating with transport agencies to issue travel advisories, particularly in areas anticipated to be impacted by the tropical cyclone.
As the threat level continues to escalate, the OCD is intensifying its efforts to provide timely weather updates and conduct pre-disaster risk assessments, gathering critical data from technical agencies to enhance emergency preparedness and response.
Regional offices have been instructed to elevate disaster preparedness measures and to communicate any additional support needed to the central office. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Response Clusters are also scheduled to convene to discuss the activation of relevant National Response Clusters.
The OCD remains committed to the effective dissemination of information through various channels, including its social media platforms and official websites. OCD
