(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Saturday, 19 July 2025) As of 3:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression “CRISING” was located at 530 km east of Juban, Sorsogon (13.0°N, 128.9°E). It has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h. It is moving west-northwest at 15 km/h. Tropical Depression Crising is currently affecting Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte, while the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) continues to affect the rest of Mindanao. Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms due to TD Crising. Flash floods or landslides are possible during moderate to at times heavy rainfall. Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and the rest of Caraga will have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms caused by the Southwest Monsoon. The rest of Mindanao will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms, also due to the Southwest Monsoon. Winds will be moderate from the southwest to west, with moderate seas (wave height: 1.2 to 2.5 meters).


Friday, 19 July 2024

Caraga coastal habitat recuperates after STY Odette

By Mariesh F. Celedeña

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga shared during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on July 16 the gradually recuperation with fair to good condition of the coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass in Caraga region from the wrath of Super Typhoon (STY) Odette.

“To speed up the recovery, we established five marine protected area networks (MPAN) that are crucial for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources,” said Maritess M. Ocampo, OIC regional executive director of DENR Caraga, ensuring rigorous habitat assessment and monitoring to sustain the ecosystem services of the coastal and marine ecosystems.

DENR Caraga is also conducting water quality monitoring to 68 sampling stations in the entire region.

Four out of the five provinces of Caraga region have coastlines that span up to 2,271 kilometers supporting diverse ecosystems crucial for marine life. With Mangrove forests covering 27,268 hectares, coral reefs stretch over 37,193 hectares, and seagrass stretch over 27,768 hectares, all these formed a vital habitat and breeding grounds for various fish species and other marine life.

These vast marine habitats have become a source of food and livelihood of the Caraganons.

STY Odette hit Caraga region in 2021. It affected not just the local communities but also the habitat of various fish species and other marine life. (MFC/PIA-Caraga)