Manila City Council strengthens evacuation warning system for disasters
The Manila City Council (MCC) enacted on Thursday, Dec. 14, a new city ordinance for the implementation of pre-emptive and forced evacuations in the city before and during a disaster or calamity.
The city government said Councilors Darwin “Awi” Sia and Macario “Macky” Lacson of the Second District of Manila filed the ordinance that is compliant with the Local Government Code which authorizes local government units (LGUs) to exercise powers necessary to promote and protect the general welfare of the public.
It also mandates the mayors and barangay leaders to implement necessary emergency measures during and after a disaster.
MCC warned the residents who will prohibit the new regulations under the said ordinance.
Residents who disobey or refuse the advice of the authorities to leave the affected or dwelling area will be charged with P2,000 to P5,000 penalty fee.
According to the authors of the ordinance, this could save lots of lives as well as government resources, especially if executed well according to plan.
The council said the ordinance is also in line with the Republic Act No. 10121 (Philippine Disaster Reduction and Management Act), which provides a comprehensive, all-hazard, multi-sectoral, inter-agency, and community-based approach to disaster risk management, through the formulation of the National Disaster Risk Management Framework.
It also cited the memorandum from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) dated Feb. 12, 2012, which urges local legislators to enact ordinances for the enforcement of preemptive and forced evacuation of residents in high-risk areas.
"Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) involves Prevention and Mitigation; Preparedness; Response and Rehabilitation and Recovery. All of these fall under the responsibility of the LGUs, in cooperation with concerned national agencies," MCC added.