LGU chiefs urged to enforce evacuations if needed

FILE: Residents use a water pump to flush out knee-deep floodwater at the corner of Molino Boulevard and Niog St. in Bacoor, Cavite on Monday (Oct. 26, 2020). (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA – The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Saturday urged local government units (LGUs) to enforce evacuations if they see that their constituents will be in danger.

“Kailangan gamitin ng ating local chief executives yung kanilang power nakikita nila na delikado ang kinalalagyan ng ating mga kababayan, magsagawa sila ng forced evacuation (If local chief executives need to use their power to protect their constituents, they should implement a forced evacuation),” NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad said in a Laging Handa briefing on PTV-4.

He added that the Philippine National Police and other security personnel are always ready to help in emergencies.

Jalad also said casualties like the ones reported due to Typhoon “Quinta” are preventable and should be avoided with early preparations.

He said the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Office of the Civil Defense are now coordinating with their regional offices to focus on the preparation of the LGUs for Typhoon “Rolly”.

He said schools should be used as evacuation centers as there are no face-to-face classes now.

“Available ang mga school, kung kinakailangan sila na rin ang magkumpuni nyan mag-prepare ng mga school para maayos na matanggap ang ating mga kababayan na tumuloy dyan (Schools are available. LGUs should prepare the schools for the possible evacuation of people),” Jalad said.

Meanwhile, Joint Task Force Covid Shield commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar advised police commanders in areas that are forecast to be directly affected by Rolly to ensure the safety of their personnel and assist in the disaster preparedness plans of the LGUs.

He added that he would leave it to the police commanders to come up with strategies to ensure the safety of their personnel, their respective families, and the people in their areas of responsibility (AORs), depending on the situation in their respective areas.