DILG under work-from-home arrangement in typhoon affected areas
By Chito Chavez
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has implemented a work-from-home (WFH) arrangement for its personnel to ensure that no basic services of the department would be affected amid the continuous heavy downpour.
DILG Secretary Juanito Victor ‘"Jonvic" Remulla the areas covered by the July 24 WFH circular include the National Capital Region (NCR), Ifugao, Benguet, Mt. Province, Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Zambales, Bataan, Quezon, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Marinduque and Romblon.
Other places covered by the scheme are Sorsogon, Masbate, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Antique and Iloilo.
However, Remulla clarified that essential offices like “Emergency 911 (E911) and the DILG-Central Office Disaster Information Coordinating Center (CODIX), will remain onsite to ensure uninterrupted delivery of critical services.
Remulla also urged all local government units (LGUs) to stay on high alert as inclement weather is expected to persist until Monday, July 28,
He assured that the LGUs have already been reminded of their responsibilities, particularly in preemptive evacuation and risk communication in hazard-prone areas.
He pointed out that the Office of Civil Defense, as the implementing arm of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), remains in close coordination with LGUs.
The DILG chief assured the public that the Emergency 911 hotline is fully operational and ready to respond to urgent concerns from affected areas.
While others are in safe basement the midst of the heavy rains, floods and danger, the DILG said “there are public servants in peril, moving silently, not to be noticed, but to save.’’
“Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, (BJMP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and your LGUs (local government units) are constantly prepared. They are the first responders,’’ the DILG pointed out.