Manila, April 16 -- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Wednesday it has placed its operation center and all regional offices on heightened alert to ensure a safe observance of Lent.

"The OCD regional offices, along with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (RDRRMCs) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (NDRRMOC), have elevated their alert levels in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure public safety during the Holy Week observance," it said in a statement.

As of 6 p.m. Tuesday, a "blue alert" has been issued for the NDRRMOC and the Cordillera region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon), Mimaropa (M...