The local government units (LGUs) should be aggressive in starting to rebuild the lives of the public following the onslaught of super typhoon "Karding", Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Benhur’ Abalos Jr. stressed on Wednesday, Sept. 28.

“While Karding is now outside the Philippine area of responsibility, the worst may be over but our work is not yet done,’’ Abalos said.

This is to to ensure that those affected ( by Typhoon Karding) are provided with immediate relief and assistance from the national and local governments, according to Abalos.

Based on reports from the ground, Abalos said that a total of 101,847 individuals or 25,642 families affected by Typhoon Karding who took refuge in the evacuation areas at the onslaught of the typhoon are now decamping and returning to their respective homes.

Of this number, Abalos stated that 34,200 people or 9,582 families are from Region III; 33,624 people or 7,189 families in Metro Manila and 29,122 people or 7,380 families are from Region IV-A.

“Another 1,061 people or 328 families from CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region); 1,670 people or 496 families in Region I; 1,284 people or 398 families in Region II; 878 people or 267 families are from Region IV-B; and eight people or two families from Region V,’’ he added.

With flood not yet subsided in many low-lying areas in Region III and IV-A, Abalos cautioned the public from submerging in flood waters as they may be inflicted with water-borne diseases and complications.

Among the flooded areas are the City of Imus, Naic, and Ternate, Cavite; Mabitac and City of San Pedro, Laguna; Patnanungan, Quezon; Obando and Paombong, Bulacan; Macabebe and Masantol, Pampanga.

The DILG chief also urged the concerned LGUs to fast-track the road clearing operations in the areas that were affected or impassable due to landslides and falling road debris.

“For those affected by the damaged/impassable bridges in Cauayan City and Echague, Isabela; Alfonso Castañeda, Nueva Viscaya; Saguday, Quirino; and Santa Maria, Bulacan, please coordinate closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for alternate routes while we look for long-term solutions for bridge repairs or reconstructions,’’ Abalos said.

For the 14 provinces in Regions I, II, III, IV-A and CAR that are still affected by power interruptions and outages, Abalos appealed for more patience and understanding “as our LCEs (local chief executives) are working closely with your respective power providers to have the power restored the soonest possible time.’’

Abalos advised the traveling public to wait for the go signal of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) before resuming their trips since operations are still suspended in all ports of Luzon.

Meanwhile, Abalos thanked the LGUs, especially the local disaster risk reduction and management officers, uniformed personnel led by our Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the other member-agencies of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for their commitment and sacrifice before and during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Karding.

On the part of the PNP, Abalos disclosed that a total of 8,642 police officers were deployed to evacuation centers, vacated and affected areas including vital installations such as public markets, gas stations, terminals, warehouses, relief operation centers and other public convergence areas.

He stressed that another 11,619 firefighters and personnel, 1,596 fire trucks, 103 ambulances, 22 rescue trucks, and seven rescue boats were also deployed in strategic locations to evacuate and provide assistance to affected residents.

Abalos also commended the LGUs of the affected regions for having “stepped up their efforts and carried out critical actions even before Karding’s landfall.’’

Reports from the ground showed that the LGUs were able to convene their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) and conduct Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) meetings; activated Barangay DRRMCs for close coordination, prepositioning of necessary supplies and preparation of evacuation centers; and, conducted pre-emptive evacuations starting on Sept. 24.

“We also made sure that local chief executives, as the chairpersons of their respective local disaster risk reduction and management committees, were physically present in their respective localities to ensure that they are on top of disaster management operations in their areas,’’ Abalos continued.

“Despite all of these, we are heartbroken over the death of five rescuers from the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office who perished during a rescue mission at the height of Karding. We give our snappy salute to them for their unparalleled dedication to public service as we offer our sincere condolences and prayers to their families,’’ he stated. (Chito A. Chavez)