Local governments ready for rainy season – DILG chief

Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo said that up to 85 percent of local governments were prepared for storms that may hit the country this rainy season.

“Based on our estimate, around 85 percent of Local Government Units (LGU) are prepared [for the rainy season,]” Robredo said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM on Thursday.

“We are monitoring the remaining 15 percent and reminding them to step up their preparations,” Robredo said.

He said they were not looking at the quantity of storms because even if they are many but weak, the damage would be minimal.

“It would be best if we prepare for the strong ones that hit the country during the third of fourth quarter of the year,” Robredo said.

He added that they have launched a new certification called “Seal of Disaster Preparedness” that will be a new measure on the preparedness of establishments to disasters.