Cagayan: About 945 families, or 3,129 individuals, have been evacuated from flood-prone areas in Cagayan province due to heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Crising.

According to Philippines News Agency, the affected families are from the towns of Abulug, Allacapan, Aparri, Baggao, Ballesteros, Buguey, Calayan, Camalaniugan, Claveria, Gattaran, Lal-lo, Pamplona, Pe±ablanca, Sta Ana, Sta Praxedes, and Sta Teresita. Of the total, 563 families composed of 1,948 individuals are staying in evacuation centers, while 331 families, or 1,030 individuals, opted to stay with neighbors and relatives.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is providing various relief assistance to the affected families. It is also coordinating with the different local government units for the continuous monitoring and assessment of damaged properties and livelihood due to Crising.

In a meeting with front-line departments held at the sub-Capitol in Lal-lo, Governor Edgar Aglipay underscored the importance of a clear, unified, and well-coordinated system to quickly respond to the needs of all affected residents. "I-define mo (PDRRMO) iyong mga dapat mayroon ang mga towns. Siguro, organization, trainings, equipment, simulation exercise, inspection and accounting. Tignan kung meron iyon. At kung saan sila mahina dun tayo (provincial government) susuporta (The PDRRMO should define what the towns must have, such as organization, training, equipment, simulation exercise, inspection, and accounting. Find out if they have these. We will provide support where there is a gap)," Aglipay said.

As of this posting, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was still up in the Babuyan Islands and northwest of Ilocos Norte, and Signal No. 1 in Cagayan. The state weather bureau cautioned the public to stay alert as heavy rains may still persist in the next few days and may cause flooding and landslides in at-risk areas.