City on blue alert with onset of rainy season

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) is on blue alert status following the declaration of the onset of the rainy season by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA).

CDRRMC chairman Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong issued Memorandum No. 5 series of 2025 dated June 4 for the activation of the city and barangay DRRM councils as preparedness and response for possible effects of the Southwest monsoon or ‘habagat.’

The mayor directed the Smart City Command Center (SC3), the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and the Public Information Office (PIO) to provide timely, accurate and appropriate coordination with all warning and frontline agencies.

The City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) and the City Veterinary and Agricultural Office (CVAO) shall ensure the availability of food and non-food items. Likewise, they shall ensure that all evacuation centers are operational and personnel are ready to deliver services.

Availability of funds shall be ensured by the City Treasury Office.The City Engineering Office (CEO), City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) and trained members of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) shall ensure available duty personnel, vehicles and equipment for Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA).

Moreover, the CEO and CBAO shall be ready to conduct clearing operations and shall serve as augmentation during evacuation and rescue; secure all ongoing projects and suspend their implementation as deemed necessary.

The City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) shall inspect and clear all trees/branches that pose danger to life and property; and shall monitor all sewer lines to ensure their functionality.

Meanwhile, the General Services Office (GSO) shall ensure availability of manpower and vehicles to respond to emergencies and provide dissemination on the proper disposal of garbage in coordination with the PIO.

The City Health Services Office (CHSO) shall activate all Health Response Teams and ensure the availability and accessibility of all District Health Centers to the general publicPersonnel of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) shall ensure safety and security of the general public likewise serve as first responders and provide augmentation to rescue and implement forced evacuation when deemed necessary.

The Bureau of Fire Protection–Baguio Fires Station (BFP-BFS) shall ensure delivery of emergency response for fire incidents, medical and rescue, likewise assist in the implementation of pre-emptive or forced evacuation when requested.

The Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) shall ensure the availability of manpower and vehicles to respond to emergencies.

All BDRRMCs are mandated to activate their respective Emergency Operations Center, monitor respective areas of responsibility and provide emergency response. Likewise, give advisories to those living near or within flood and landslide-prone areas to perform pre-emptive or forced evacuation when deemed necessary.

Reserve units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) shall wait for notification from CDRRMO and shall preposition Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) equipment and detail personnel at the mobilization area and CDRRMO-EOC.

Lastly, the Contingency Plan for Hydrometeorological Hazards shall be activated upon the evaluation and recommendation of the RDANA team. – JM Samidan