The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) announced Wednesday that its operations center and all regional offices have been placed on heightened alert to ensure public safety during Holy Week.  

In a statement, the OCD disclosed that its regional offices, along with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (NDRRMOC), have elevated their alert levels following a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize public safety during the religious observance.

As of 6 p.m. Tuesday, a “Blue Alert” was raised for the NDRRMOC and the following regions: Cordillera, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Central and Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Caraga and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The National Capital Region will be under “blue alert” from 5 p.m. Wednesday until 8 a.m. on 21 April.

Under the “blue alert” status, the OCD said uniformed personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine National Police, along with other concerned agencies, will deploy detailed duty officers to the NDRRMOC for 24-hour duty on a rotational basis.

Bicol and Western Visayas are currently under “red alert” due to potential threats from Mayon and Kanlaon volcanoes, respectively, as well as anticipated weather disturbances during the Lenten season.  

The “Red Alert” status is the highest alert level, activated to address an ongoing or imminent emergency, requiring response agency staffing at the NDRRMOC and immediate interagency coordination. Lade Jean Kabagani

Under this highest alert level, uniformed personnel from the AFP, BFP, PCG, and PNP, along with representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DoH), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Energy (DOE), and other identified agencies will deploy DDOs at the NDRRMOC for 24-hour duty on a rotational basis.

Meanwhile, NDRRMC executive director and OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno urged the public to remain cautious during the Lenten season.  

“While our authorities are on alert, we ask our kababayans to prioritize their safety and act with discipline during this time of reflection. Your cooperation is essential for a peaceful observance of the Holy Week,” Nepomuceno said.

As of Wednesday, the OCD reported thousands of passengers were traveling through airports, bus terminals, and seaports to take advantage of the Holy Week break.