DILG sends over 20,000 cops, firemen to assist relief ops in Karding-hit areas

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos. FILE PHOTO / Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 8,642 police officers and 11,619 firefighters were deployed to help conduct relief operations in areas affected by typhoon Karding (International name: Noru), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Monday.

In a statement, Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benjur” Abalos Jr. said the department sent out the officers across the typhoon-stricken regions, particularly in strategic and vital installations and evacuation centers.

“They are stationed in various areas in seven regions affected by the typhoon. These police officers are on the ground actively helping in the efforts to ensure that our kababayans (countrymen) are safe and protected,” Abalos said.

Aside from deploying personnel, he said additional fire trucks, ambulances, and rescue trucks and boats were likewise deployed to aid the disaster relief operations in the typhoon-hit communities.

‘Stand your ground, be physically present’

Among the Karding-affected regions, Abalos said that Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Metro Manila were able to respond “proactively” in anticipation of the weather disturbance.

He hailed the local government units in these areas for being able to convene their local disaster risk management councils, prepare the necessary supplies and evacuation centers, and conduct preemptive evacuations as early as Saturday.

With this, the DILG chief reminded all local chief executives (LCEs) to “stand their ground and be physically present,”, particularly in places prone to disasters – before, during, and after the calamities.

“It’s crucial that leaders are looking after their constituents in circumstances such as super typhoons. LCEs dapat ang nangunguna sa paghahanda sa anumang sakuna at pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng kanilang nasasakupan,” Abalos said.

(It’s crucial that leaders look after their constituents in the circumstances such as super typhoons. LCEs should lead in preparation for disasters and calamities and respond to the needs of their constituents.)

As of Monday, 5 p.m, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that Karding, which is seen exiting the country’s area of responsibility, has slightly intensified as it moves over the West Philippine Sea. Christian Paul Dela Cruz, INQUIRER.net trainee

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