MALASIQUI: The Ilocos Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-1) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has increased its alert status to red as of 8 a.m. Thursday, in anticipation of the potential impact of Super Typhoon Ofel, internationally known as Usagi. According to Philippines News Agency, the council has also activated the Charlie Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Protocol, which signifies a high-risk situation. The decision comes as Northern Luzon is experiencing the effects of Ofel, with areas such as the northeastern part of mainland Cagayan, including the municipalities of Santa Ana and Gonzaga, currently under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5. In response to the red alert status, RDRRMC-1 has outlined several measures, including the issuance of regular warnings and advisories, dissemination of preparedness directives, activation of all response clusters, suspension of work and classes, preemptive evacuation of communities in high-risk areas, and deployment of rapid response teams to strategic locations. The member agencies of RDRRMC-1 are urged to raise their alert levels to red, activate their respective Emergency Operations Centers, and provide anticipated needs, situational reports, and actions taken. In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the center of Typhoon Ofel was located approximately 135 kilometers northeast of Echague, Isabela, moving west-northwest at 15 kilometers per hour. The typhoon is expected to make landfall along the eastern coast of Cagayan on Thursday afternoon before moving over the Babuyan Channel tonight, possibly making another landfall or passing close to the Babuyan Islands. Regions under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 include the northern portion of Ilocos Norte, specifically Pagudpud, Adams, and Dumalneg. The remainder of Ilocos Norte is under Signal No. 2, while Ilocos Sur and the northern portion of La Union, including Luna, Sudipen, Bangar, Santol, San Gabriel, Bagulin, Bacnotan, Balaoan, and San Juan, are under Signal No. 1.