DILG asks northern Luzon LGUs to prepare resources for Ofel 

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) asked local government units in the northern part of Luzon, particularly those in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera Administrative Region, to preposition all resources for Severe Tropical Storm Ofel. 

“Please take note of our advisories such as preemptive evacuation, geohazards, among others. We will follow the same protocols,” said Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla during a briefing at the Office of the Civil Defense on Tuesday. 

In a memorandum, the DILG urged all concerned LGUs to ensure emergency response teams, rescue units, and relevant personnel are alert and fully equipped to respond to emergencies. 

Local governments were also advised to preposition rescue equipment and relief goods in strategic locations for rapid deployment and identify and prioritize communities in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas. 

Ofel has intensified into a severe tropical storm as it entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Tuesday afternoon. PAGASA warned that Signal No. 1 may be raised over portions of Cagayan Valley this late evening or early Wednesday morning.—Vince Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News