DILG prompts LGUs to prepare for disasters

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has prodded local government units (LGUs) nationwide to prepare for possible disasters in the wake of recent successive typhoons entering the country.

In a forum on LGU Protocols and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM), DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said LGUs are mandated by law to enforce plans under their respective disaster preparations before, during, and after disasters and calamities in their jurisdictions.

“Sunod-sunod na naman ang mga bagyo pumapasok sa ating bansa kaya inaatasan natin ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na maging laging handa. Huwag na nating hintayin ang unos bago tayo kumilos,” Malaya said Thursday.

(One again, typhoons have been coming into the country one after the other so we are tasking our local government units to always be prepared. Let’s not wait for a disaster to happen before we take action.)

Citing the Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010, Malaya noted that the role of LGUs in disaster preparedness can be summarized into reducing risks and vulnerabilities and responding to and enforcing recovery actions during disasters.

“We know that we must build the capacities, readiness and resiliency of LGUs and the communities, but building resilience is not just a matter of teaching the technical staff or acquiring technical know-how,” he said. “That is why the support and the political will of the governors and mayors and the local legislative bodies are very important.”

The DILG official also reminded local chief executives, who are also chairpersons of their respective local disaster risk reduction and management councils, to be physically present in their respective areas during calamities.

The department earlier issued a memorandum amending the guidelines on local and foreign travel of local officials, including the recall of travel authority issued them by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año in case there is an emergency or natural or man-made disaster in their jurisdiction.

“Lagi nating ipinaalala sa mga lokal na opisyales na importante ang kanilang pisikal na presensya sa kani-kanilang lugar upang maging tagapanguna sa paghahanda kapag may paparating na malakas na bagyo,” Malaya said.

(We always remind local officials on the importance of their physical presence in their respective areas so they can lead preparations for an incoming strong typhoon.) /kga

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