BAGUIO CITY – Although the city is not expected to take a direct hit, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong has raised the city’s emergency alert status to red ahead of the expected onslaught of Tropical Depression “Crising.”
Enhanced by the southwest monsoon, “Crising” is forecast to bring heavy rains across Northern Luzon over the next three days. On July 17, 2025, Magalong issued Memorandum No. 14, Series of 2025, directing critical city departments to prepare for immediate deployment starting July 18.
Among those mobilized are the Smart City Command Center (SC3), the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the Public Information Office (PIO), and Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees (BDRRM), tasked with coordinating with warning and frontline response agencies.
During the city’s pre-disaster risk assessment meeting, CDRRMO Operations Unit’s Julius Santos urged barangay officials to closely monitor their areas and conduct preemptive evacuations where necessary, particularly in landslide- and flood-prone zones.
Evacuation efforts will be closely coordinated with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) and the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), while the Bureau of Fire Protection–Baguio (BFP) will support rescue operations and evacuations as first responders.
Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees have been instructed to activate their respective Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), conduct continuous monitoring, and advise residents to evacuate when needed.
The City Social Welfare & Development Office (CSWDO) and City Veterinary & Agricultural Office (CVAO) are tasked with ensuring the availability of food and non-food supplies, as well as maintaining fully operational evacuation centers. These offices will coordinate with the City Treasurer’s Office to secure necessary funding.
The City Engineering Office (CEO) and City Buildings & Architectures Office (CBAO) will mobilize personnel and equipment for Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA), assist in rescue efforts, and secure ongoing projects when required.
The City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEMO) will clear potentially hazardous trees and monitor the city’s drainage and sewer systems.
The Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) and the General Services Office (GSO) will provide manpower and transport support, while also ensuring proper garbage disposal in partnership with the PIO.
The City Health Services Office (CHSO) will activate Health Emergency Response Teams and ensure health centers remain accessible throughout the storm period.
BFP–Baguio will lead response operations related to fire, medical, and rescue emergencies.
Reserve units from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will also pre-position Human Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) equipment and personnel at designated mobilization points and the CDRRMO EOC once notified.
The city’s Contingency Plan for Hydrometeorological Hazards will be activated based on the evaluation and recommendation of the RDANA Team, as detailed in the memo.