ITOGON, Benguet — Tourism, underground small-scale mining, quarrying and gold panning resumed in Itogon on Monday after the municipal government deactivated its Emergency Operations Center and downgraded its disaster alert status from blue to white.

Itogon Mayor Bernard S. Waclin issued Executive Order 42 following confirmation from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration that tropical storm “Kiyapo,” internationally named Noul, had exited the Philippine area of responsibility.

The weather agency stated that the storm no longer posed an immediate threat to the municipality. Local authorities reported improved weather conditions and no major damage across the area.

Under the new directive, members of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, barangay disaster response teams, and department heads were instructed to return to normal operations.

Local agencies remain required to maintain preparedness and monitor upcoming weather advisories, while the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office conducts post-incident assessments and prepares final disaster reports.

The safety restrictions had initially been ordered under Executive Order No. 41, which placed the municipality on blue alert to prevent casualties from potential landslides and flooding during the storm’s onset.

With the deactivation of full emergency operations, regulated mining, tourism and public activities are permitted to resume, provided operators comply with existing safety rules and local environmental regulations.