Manila, July 3 -- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Thursday convened a virtual emergency operations center (EOC) in preparation for the possible effects of a low pressure area (LPA) spotted east-northeast of extreme Northern Luzon.

The virtual EOC, created in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to strengthen national disaster preparedness, will be active 24/7 and serve as a central coordination platform for all relevant government agencies and uniformed services, the OCD said in a statement.

"There is no room for complacency. We are already working with all stakeholders to prepare for the worst-case scenario. This is about ensuring readiness before a threat becomes a crisis," Assistant Secretary Cesar Idio, OCD d...