The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has declared a red alert status in three key regions ahead of the 2025 local and national elections. This red alert status is the highest level of readiness, signaling an imminent or ongoing emergency that requires urgent action.
Areas Under Red Alert Status
The three regions on red alert are the Cordillera Administrative Region, Region 6 (Western Visayas), and Region 7 (Central Visayas). In these areas, agencies must prepare for immediate response and closely coordinate with one another.
Under this status, uniformed personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine National Police (PNP) are required to deploy detailed duty officers at the NDRRMC Operations Center. These officers work around the clock on a rotational basis to handle any emergencies that may arise.
NDRRMC Blue Alert Regions Explained
Meanwhile, the NDRRMC has placed several other areas under blue alert in preparation for the upcoming elections. These include the National Capital Region, Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, CARAGA, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as well as the NDRRMOC itself.
A blue alert means the council is preparing for slow-onset hazards or potential escalation of situations. Selected duty personnel, particularly from the Office of Civil Defense, are assigned to the NDRRMC Operations Center to monitor and plan accordingly.
Uniformed agencies such as the AFP, BFP, PCG, and PNP, along with the Department of Health and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, also deploy officers on a rotational 24-hour schedule to stay ready during blue alert conditions.
Coordination with Weather and Geological Agencies
In both red and blue alert statuses, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau play important roles. They provide initial analyses and forecasts crucial for planning responses to hydro-meteorological disasters.
With election day set for May 12, 2025, these alert statuses aim to ensure preparedness and safety across the country during this critical period.
