CALAMBA CITY (PIA) — The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) in Calabarzon has maintained a blue alert status as typhoon Egay intensified bringing continuous rains in Luzon and the Visayas over the weekend.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin on Monday, July 24, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 in Quezon including Polillo Islands, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, and the northern and central portion of Batangas (Calaca City, Cuenca, Taysan, Lian, Tuy, Balayan, Talisay, Padre Garcia, Agoncillo, Santo Tomas, San Jose, Lemery, Lipa City, Ibaan, City of Tanauan, Mataasnakahoy, Alitagtag, Balete, Nasugbu, San Juan, San Nicolas, Rosario, Laurel, Santa Teresita, Taal, and Malvar).

The regional disaster response council has been on blue alert since July 21 while preparations were set in place. This means that all emergency response units from different offices are mandated to standby and monitor the situation.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) IV-A, response cluster lead, said the government has prepositioned medical supplies and equipment; food and non-food items; evacuation centers; safety and security teams; and mobility assets.

DSWD IV-A Regional Director Barry Chua said government agencies have been alerted on their response efforts on early recovery, health, shelter, emergency telecommunications, clearing operations, including management of the dead and missing.

Typhoon Egay is expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon that will bring continuous rains in the region until Tuesday or Wednesday. (CH/PIA-Laguna; with reports from OCD CALABARZON)