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Official Publication of the Philippine Information Agency Bicol Regional Office, in cooperation with the RIAC-REDIRAS - RDC Bicol



Wednesday, November 6, 2013

DILG chief directs chief executives to activate local DRRMCs, monitoring system

By Sally A. Atento

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov 6 (PIA) – Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas directed today all governors and mayors in the Bicol region to activate their local disaster risk reduction and management councils (LDRRMC) and disaster monitoring systems in preparation for tropical storm Yolanda.

Roxas, vice chair for disaster preparedness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), said the local executives should immediately adopt measures on how to effectively warn residents, particularly those living along the coastlines and other danger areas, on the possible impact of the coming typhoon in their respective areas.

“Its better to be prepared than have regrets in the end. Every hour matters to save lives,” Roxas said.

The DILG alert was also sent through email and SMS blast to governors and mayors of Eastern Visayas and MIMAROPA particularly in Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.

Roxas advised the chief officials in these areas to seek assistance from the local police, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and other first-responder units in case there is a need to evacuate residents from danger zones.

Local officials are also advised to mobilize their respective Search and Rescue (SAR) teams in coordination with the local police to be deployed immediately in areas prone to landslides and flash floods.

He also instructed the local executives to mobilize all government vehicles needed in the evacuation process.

“It is important for our local DRRMC to monitor the storm even before landfall. Preparations will be of no value if we still have to wait for the storm to hit the Philippines before we take action,” he added.

Roxas stressed the need to identify and prepare evacuation centers in various cities and municipalities, where stock of relief goods are pre-positioned for distribution to residents that may be displaced by the calamity.

Weather forecasters in PAGASA said typhoon Yolanda is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early morning tomorrow.

It is expected to make landfall over Samar-Leyte provinces and may then affect Bicol and MIMAROPA Thursday or Friday. (MAL/SAA/PIA5/Albay)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2571383725310#sthash.h02ccayL.dpuf

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