Office of Civil Defense (OCD) administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno on Friday called on local government units to strengthen their disaster preparedness and response efforts.

“Our local chief executives must really intensify the implementation of preparations and response to disasters,” Nepomuceno said, adding that strict implementation is necessary to prevent casualties.

“We must have strict implementation to avoid casualties among our countrymen,” he said.

Nepomuceno also warned that local leaders who neglect their duties will be held accountable. “If our local leaders who are expected to implement programs become negligent, they will be held liable,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that many local leaders are already actively involved in disaster preparedness.