TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol—Being in a country that ranks third of 15 countries with the highest risk to hazards, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recommends “preparing for the worst.”
DILG-Bohol Cluster Head Maria Reina Quilas noted that, aside from being third among the countries with the highest risk, the Philippines also ranks third among the 15 countries most exposed to natural hazards.
“The Philippines is No. 1 country visited by wind storms. The country’s geographical location [makes it] prone to be subjected to wind storms,” Quilas added.
On this, the DILG-Bohol has been conducting rounds of dialogues on Operation Listo—a project of the national government that ensures local officials take the correct steps in responding to calamities and the aftermath.
DILG Central Visayas Director Ananias Villacorta emphasized the preparedness of local governments as the new gauge of the efficiency of the officials, especially the mayors.
Their commitment and sincerity in undertaking disaster preparedness can be a basis for the electorate to choose its leaders in the coming elections, Villacorta added.
He called on the civil-society organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to get involved in the disaster- preparedness campaign, and assist local governments that lag behind.
DILG Bohol Director Maria Loisella Lucino said local governments can tap CSOs and non-governmental organizationss, especially those with programs directly assisting the barangays.
Lucino heads the secretariat of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council chaired by Gov. Edgar Chatto.
During the dialogue, Quilas briefed the participants on the checklist of Early Preparations for Mayors and areas for engagement for partners in early preparations.
As of now, the DILG-Bohol intends to furnish the households with information materials, such as the Family Guide for Disaster Preparedness in the vernacular, Quilas said.
The DILG-Bohol also campaigns for “e-balde”—short for emergency balde (pail) to serve as their personal evacuation kits—wherein households are urged to place clothing, some food, water and other supplies that family members can easily carry to evacuation centers during emergencies.
Quilas also advised households members to place their important documents near the emergency pails, so that these can easily be brought with them.
Infra audit is also conducted to make sure evacuation centers meet the standard specifications and can hold the evacuees.
A template for localized notice for suspension of classes is also provided to make it easier for local officials—even barangay captains—to compose the notice and immediately transmit it to
the people.
It was also recommended that, in dissemination of warning about a coming typhoon, like those through the recoreda, the advisory should have a comparison with the previous typhoons experienced so that the people will have reference or idea of what to expect.
Quilas also explained that the stages in early preparations for mayors start from creating structures and systems, then institutionalizing policies and plans, then building competencies and equipping their areas with hardware and supplies.
By Angeline Valencia | Philippines News Agency