Dangers posed by the continuous heavy rains caused by the southwest monsoon or habagat prompted Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday to urge concerned local chief executives (LCEs) to implement forced evacuation when necessary to ensure the safety and protection of affected residents.

This as he asked local government units (LGUs) to prioritize the safety of vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. 

Based on the latest weather advisory from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), habagat will bring moderate to intense rains of up to 200mm within the next few days in several areas in Regions I, III, National Capital Region, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V, VI and the Negros Island Region.  Flooding is expected in areas that are urbanized, low-lying and near rivers. Landslides may also occur in moderate to highly susceptible areas.

Through a memorandum, Remulla also directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to fully support LCEs in the enforcement of forced evacuation efforts. He added that PNP personnel should ensure orderly implementation and assist in securing evacuated areas and evacuation centers.

He likewise enjoined all affected residents to heed the advice of local authorities and promptly relocate to designated evacuation centers or safe areas.  

To ensure that the needs of evacuees and affected families are provided, LGUs were tasked to coordinate with their respective Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and the Department of Social Welfare and Development for relief distribution from the national government.

Operation L!STO

Remulla reminded the concerned LCEs to always follow the Operation L!STO Protocols to guide them on what critical measures and actions to take in this situation. 

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday made a round to check on the condition of habagat evacuees and assured the public that the agency is ready for an intensified disaster operations as heavy rains continue to prevail in the coming days based on the forecast of the PAGASA.

Gatchalian, who made his first stop at the evacuation center at the Atis Covered Court, in Barangay Payatas, Quezon City, said the DSWD has prepositioned three million boxes of family food packs (FFPs) in some 1,000 warehouses across the country ready to be dispatched anytime to areas affected by tropical cyclone ‘Crising’ and the southwest monsoon or habagat.

Based on the latest reports from Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Tuesday morning, a total of 13,193 families or 50,762 individuals have been severely affected by the continued heavy downpour. In Lima, Bataan, Mayor Richie Jason David personally led personnel from the General Service Office in distributing the much-needed food and medicine to their affected constituents.