The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday night, July 18, placed its Operations Center (OpCen) under Code White Alert as Tropical Storm Crising nears landfall, triggering emergency preparations in potentially affected areas.

Under Code White Alert, the agency said its emergency personnel, including medical doctors and response teams, are on standby for possible deployment, while supplies and equipment are being prepositioned.

“Sa ilalim ng Code White Alert, inihahanda ng DOH OpCen ang mga gamot, medical equipment, at Health Emergency Response Teams para sa mga rehiyon na tinatayang maapektuhan ng bagyo (Under Code White Alert, the DOH OpCen prepares medicine, medical equipment, and Health Emergency Response Teams for regions expected to be affected by the typhoon),” the health department said in a Facebook post.

The DOH said emergency hotlines, including 911 and local disaster response units, have also been activated to respond to calls for assistance.

“Nakaantabay naman ang National Emergency Hotline 911 at local emergency hotlines para sa mga mangangailangan ng tulong (The National Emergency Hotline 911 and local emergency hotlines are on standby for those who may need help),” it stated.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Crising is forecast to hit land Friday night, July 18, over the northeastern part of mainland Cagayan or the Babuyan Islands.

”Crising will move west northwestward within the next 12 hours. On the forecast track, it may make landfall over northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan or Babuyan Islands this evening,” the state weather bureau said in its 5 p.m. bulletin.

As such, the agency reported that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was raised over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, and parts of Abra, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, and Ifugao.

PAGASA warned that gale-force winds could bring minor to moderate impacts in locations where Signal No. 2 is raised.