As the southwest monsoon (habagat) brings heavy rainfall to the country, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged local government units (LGUs) to take immediate action and prepare for the adverse weather conditions.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declared the start of the rainy season on Monday, June 6, and reported that widespread rain showers have occurred over the past several days due to the ongoing habagat.
In response, the DILG called on LGUs to implement proactive measures based on the Operation Listo protocols, which address hydrometeorological hazards.
The DILG’s directive follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s instruction to strengthen disaster preparedness and reduce the impact of natural calamities.
LGUs must ensure that emergency operations centers are fully staffed and equipped, with local incident management teams trained in the incident command system ready for deployment, DILG said.
The agency added that local governments must identify and prepare evacuation centers that meet structural integrity standards and are equipped with essential facilities, such as sanitation, medical aid, and designated spaces for vulnerable groups. They must inspect and upgrade these centers regularly to meet safety standards and capacity needs.
LGUs must also update their contingency and action plans, taking into account local flood zones, storm surge areas, and landslide-prone regions, DILG said.
Local authorities were also tasked by the agency to conduct simulation drills and community exercises to test the effectiveness of response and evacuation procedures in real-world situations.
The DILG reminded LGUs to enforce no-build zones in high-risk areas and ensure that emergency services and supply chains remain operational during severe weather events.
Operation Listo stands as the DILG’s primary program for disaster preparedness, promoting a whole-of-government approach that helps local communities stay resilient in the face of calamities.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a personal blog on Medium.