MANILA -- The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) approved on Thursday, January 20, 2022, the escalation of Kalinga, Ifugao and Mountain Province in the Cordillera Administrative Region, as well as the province of Northern Samar, to Alert Level 4.

The IATF meanwhile placed the following areas under Alert Level 3:

· Luzon: Apayao, Puerto Princesa City and Masbate
· Visayas: Siquijor
· Mindanao: Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay in Region 9; Lanao del Norte in Region 10; Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental in Region 11; North Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat in Region 12; Surigao del Norte in Caraga; and Maguindanao and Basilan in BARMM

These Alert Levels shall take effect beginning January 21, 2022 until January 31, 2022. (OPS)