TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) - - As Tropical Storm ‘Goring’ is forecast to move southward over the waters east of Northern Luzon, the entire Cagayan Valley region is now on ‘red alert’ status.  

Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Chair Leon DG. Rafael instructed all local disaster risk reduction and management councils to conduct pre-disaster risk assessment on the possible effects of the weather disturbance. 

He also ordered the council members and rescue volunteers to prepare their respective plan of action to be undertaken such as but not limited to the conduct of pre-emptive evacuation, preposition of response assets, and issuance of early suspension of classes and work, as the situation warrants.

“We have already issued an advisory to all local councils and the public to be alert and take precautionary measures for the possible effects of tropical storm Goring,” Rafael said. 

The "no sailing, fishing and swimming" policy along the coastal waters of the region is already in place, he added. 

The Department of the Interior and Local Government, on the other hand, has already issued an advisory to all local DRRMCs to activate early warning measures, establish critical preparedness actions based on the Operation LISTO protocols, and monitor with vigilance the level of river waters and settlements in low-lying areas.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau was also advised to continuously monitor highly susceptible areas for flooding and landslides and the Department of Social Welfare and Development has already prepositioned some food and non-food items needed in case of relief operations. 

Engr. Ranshelle Parcon, weather specialist of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration Northern Luzon Bureau, said the center of tropical storm Goring was estimated, based on all available data, at 220 kilometers east-southeast of Basco, Batanes.

She added that due to the highly favorable environment, ‘Goring’ is forecast to rapidly intensify and may reach typhoon category by tomorrow, August 26.

As of 5 a.m. today, August 25, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is raised over the island province of Batanes, the eastern portion of the Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Island, Camiguin Island), the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Lal-lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca), and the northeastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan). (OTB/MDCT/PIA Cagayan)