Tuesday, October 25, 2016

DILG TO LGUS: PREPARE FOR TYPHOON “LAWIN,” USE LISTO MANUAL FOR PLANNING

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has enjoined all local chief executives (LCEs) and the public, especially those in Northern Luzon, to take necessary precautions with the arrival of Typhoon Lawin (international name “Haima”). 

Based on the report issued by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued at 11:00AM on October 19, Lawin has maximum sustained winds of up to 220 kph and gustiness of up to 305 kph, and is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall within the 700km radius of the typhoon.

“With the coming of Typhoon Karen last week, our LGUs had a fast response time in their evacuation,” said Secretary Ismael D. Sueno. “Pero ngayon na may bago nang papasok na bagyo, lalo nang kailangan nang maging handa at listo tayo sa anumang dulot ng sakuna.”

Sueno, who is the Vice Chairperson of Disaster Preparedness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), has also urged LCEs to apply the framework of the Oplan Listo disaster preparedness program and use their Disaster Preparedness Manual’s Checklist of Minimum Critical Preparations for Mayors.

“Mayors are the frontliners and first responders in the event of forthcoming disaster, so there must be concrete planning,” said the Secretary. “In the Oplan Listo manual, there are guidelines on how to determine Critical Preparedness Actions based on the conditions of the LGU—amount of rainfall, wind speed, critical areas, and potential impact. Those are what need to be assessed. Then, based on that, they can follow the protocols provided in the manual’s flowcharts for preparation, response, and monitoring of the typhoon.”

In the Oplan Listo manual are a list of directives to be given during the disaster; meeting agenda in convening the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMC); list of resources needed by the different teams addressing the disaster in the LGUs, such as supplies, equipment, stockpile, and data and information; guidelines for the deployment of teams; evacuation center standards; mayors’ script for alert/advisory for radio announcement; and access guide to weather bulletin-related websites.

There is also a directory of national government agencies, guide in identifying parts of a tropical cyclone warning, and guide on how to use the Project NOAH app, among others. These, the Secretary emphasized, will aid LGUs in both the preparatory and crucial stages of natural disaster.

“Reach out to the DILG, NDRRMC, and the other national agencies for the needs of your LGUs,” the Secretary said. “We have learned the value of coordination and we must use whatever means necessary to save lives.”

To the public, the Secretary announced, “Please stay indoors and have food, water, medicine, and supplies on hand in case of emergency. Your local government will ensure your safety.”

Typhoon Lawin is expected to make landfall over the Cagayan-Isabela area by late evening of Wednesday, October 19, then will cross Apayao and Ilocos Norte, before leaving the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in the evening of Thursday, October 20, or on early morning of Friday, October 21. # Source – www.dilg.gov.ph

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