Communities should be warned first before releasing water from dams, especially in Luzon to avoid accidents and loss of lives, President Marcos said.

Marcos made the directive during a situation briefing to assess the effects of typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon (Habagat) at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Wednesday, July 24.

“[‘Yung] mga areas na aabutan… naabisuhan lang o napadalhan natin ng tulong para mag-evacuate (Have we advised to evacuate or assisted those who will be affected)? That’s what we need to do,” Marcos said.

The President said the NDRRMC must avoid leaving the people uninformed about the release of water from dams and help them to evacuate as soon as possible.

“Iwasan natin yun. Kulang yung pagsasabihan lang natin. Kailangan magpapadala tayo ng sasakyan para [sa evacuation]. [Madala sa] pinakamalapit na evacuation center o puwedeng gamitin na evacuation center (Let us avoid that. It is not enough to just advise them. We need to send vehicles to evacuate them. Bring them to evacuation centers),” he said.

“So, that’s we have to --- we have to prepare for the downstream," he added.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. told Marcos that it should be part of the protocol to warn downstream communities of an impending water release from dams.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Executive directed all concerned government agencies to provide swift assistance to communities affected by monsoon rains. He also ordered the agencies to “promptly and effectively” extend the communities all the necessary support.

In his social media posting, the President said the government has prepositioned P2.88 billion worth of aid and close to 4,500 personnel on standby for search, rescue and retrieval operations.