MANILA, Philippines — The public must always be on alert and prepared for hazards, disasters and inclement weather to prevent untoward incidents, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said on Friday.
(Know the respective hazards in your localities while there’s no rain, do not just rely on the statements of Pagasa.)“Let’s always heed the call ng ating mga kinauukulan at ganoon din ang panawagan natin sa ating mga kaibigan sa lokal na pamahalaan, to be always on alert and provide the necessary information sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.
(Let’s always heed the call of authorities and we likewise call on our friends in the local government units to be always on alert and provide the necessary information to our countrymen.)
Nepomuceno said that based on his discussions with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the rains are not enough to increase Angat Dam’s water level.
“Sabi po niya oo, but with special attention d’on sa Angat, sabi niya, kung base sa pagtaya, kulang pa rin ang ibubuhos na ulan nito kung in terms of madagdag na tubig kasi parang kulang pa siya, kailangan pang mas marami,” Nepomuceno said in a press briefing.
(They said yes, but with special attention to Angat Dam, if according to estimates, the rainfall is still insufficient in terms of the water that it can contribute because it needs to be more.)
As of Friday, the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that the water level of the Angat Dam was at 179.27 meters, while its normal high water level is at 212 meters.
In the 8:00 pm update of the Pagasa, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was still raised over 20 areas nationwide.
Pagasa added that the tropical depression is expected to move west northwestward, and may make landfall at the southern portion of Eastern Samar or the Dinagat Islands as a tropical storm on Saturday morning.