The rains brought by Tropical Depression "Dodong" prompted President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to call off his attendance at the 36th Cordillera Day celebration in Luna, Apayao, Malacañang reported.

Photo from DOST-PAGASA (Facebook)

In a statement, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the decision was made upon the advice of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

"Due to inclement weather, the PSG has advised to cancel the President's visit to Apayao today (July 15, 2023)," Garafil said in a text message to Palace reporters.

The program, however, will push through.

The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) comprises six provinces: Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and the Mountain Province.

In a press briefing on Friday, July 14, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that all provinces under CAR were under Signal No. 1.

LOOK: Pagasa advisory regarding the Cordillera Administrative Region as of 6 a.m. on July 15. (📸 DOST-PAGASA/Facebook) @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/ietcgJk1Er

— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyll_mb) July 15, 2023

In an advisory early Saturday, PAGASA said the center of Tropical Depression Dodong was estimated at 260 kilometers west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.

Dodong was said to be moving westward at 20 km/h, while the southwest monsoon would continue to bring rains to Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

PAGASA advised people living near the mountain slopes and in the low-lying areas of the rivers of the CAR to be "alert for possible flashfloods and landslides."