The Department of Health (DOH) raised a Code White Alert on Saturday in anticipation of Tropical Storm Ramil making landfall in parts of Luzon and the Visayas.

In a statement, the DOH said the alert status was declared due to the expected impact of Ramil’s landfall this afternoon, as forecast by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

“Idineklara ng Department of Health ang Code White Alert kaugnay ng inaasahang pag-landfall ng Bagyong Ramil ngayong hapon,” the agency said.

Under Code White Alert, the DOH Operations Center is placed on heightened monitoring while emergency medicines and medical supplies are prepositioned in high-risk areas. 

Health Emergency Response Teams are also on standby for immediate deployment to affected regions.

Meanwhile, PAGASA reported on Saturday afternoon that Ramil had slightly weakened as it moved over the coastal waters of Northern Samar. As of 1 p.m., the storm was located over the waters off Laoang, moving westward at 25 kph, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gusts of up to 90 kph.

The state weather bureau said landfall is likely over Catanduanes on Saturday afternoon or evening, then over Camarines Sur later in the night or early Sunday morning.

A slight shift in the storm’s track could bring landfall over Albay or Sorsogon instead.

Ramil is expected to move across the Bicol Region overnight and pass near the Polillo Islands on Sunday morning before making a final landfall in the Aurora province later that day. However, PAGASA noted that northern Quezon or southern Isabela could still be possible landfall sites depending on changes in the storm’s path.

After crossing Northern Luzon, Ramil is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday morning via the coastal waters off Pangasinan or La Union.

As of Saturday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that 12 seaports in Calabarzon had cancelled trips due to the storm. 

Approximately 90 passengers were left stranded.

The DOH has urged the public, especially those in vulnerable areas, to stay alert, follow advisories from local authorities, and prepare emergency supplies.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as Ramil’s path remains uncertain, and heavy rains and strong winds are expected to affect several regions over the weekend.