The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday advised the public and the local government units (LGUs) affected by tropical storm “Ulysses’’ to immediately take appropriate actions as stated in the agency’s “Oplan Listo’’ protocols.
With the typhoon expected to have a direct hit in the Bicol Region and other nearby areas, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año urged the public to abide by LGUs’ preemptive evacuation procedures especially in low-lying areas as Ulysses is expected to make landfall soon.
“The DILG, together with the rest of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) , expect the citizens’ participation, cooperation and discipline as we prepare for the advert effects “Ulysses” may bring,’’ the DILG statement read.
Año also directed the LGUs “to establish critical preparedness actions and carry out Operation L!STO protocols and implement DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-125 - LISTO SA TAG-ULAN AT COVID-19: preparedness measures of LGUs for the rainy season CY (calendar year) 2020 , and prioritize the prepositioning of supplies, equipment and personnel for immediate response.’’
He stressed that the LGUs must also activate their Barangay DRRMCs (Disaster Risk reduction and Management Councils) for early warning measures and vigilant monitoring of areas susceptible to flood and storm surges.
The DILG chief stressed that persistent information dissemination using all media platforms are encouraged to ensure that the public is updated.
Año reminded that “these among others are the immediate actions that LGUs should carry out as we again reiterate that local chief executives who will be reported to be missing in action during a typhoon will be made accountable.’’
“We have braved countless storms as a nation; through our cooperation and discipline, we can conquer anew. Tandaan po natin na maging sa kalamidad, BIDA at LIGTAS ang May Disiplina,’’ he concluded.