Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gordon alerted the PRC staff and volunteers to prepare the organization's assets for any possible rescue operations after tropical cyclone Florita intensified into a tropical storm on Monday, Aug. 22.
This was according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)'s 11 a.m. report.
"Bago pa man pumasok ang tag-ulan ngayong taon, handa na ang Red Cross na magbigay tulong sa ating mga kababayan (Even before the wet season started this year, Red Cross is already prepared to bring aid to our countrymen)," Gordon assured.
"Katuwang natin ang ating mga volunteer at staff na walang takot na magbigay ng tulong sa gitna ng mga posibleng panganib dulot ng bagyo (The volunteer and staff who are fearless in bringing help in the midst of possible danger brought by typhoon are on our side)," he added.
Florita was spotted 215 kilometers (km) east of Casiguran, Aurora, and has sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 90 kph, PAGASA said.
The weather bureau raised tropical signal number 2 over the eastern portions of Cagayan, eastern parts of Isabela, extreme northern parts of Aurora, and the northeastern portion of Quirino.
Meanwhile, signal number 1 was raised over the rest of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and northern portions of Aurora and Polillo Island.
PAGASA also noted that scattered to widespread flooding and landslides are expected especially in areas susceptible to these hazards.
The humanitarian organization once again reminded the public to follow the 4Ps of disaster: Predict, Plan, Prepare, and Practice.
PRC chapters in Apayo, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Quirino, and Southern Leyte have alerted their volunteers to monitor their areas and prepare rescue equipment, PRC said.