DILG tells LGUs to prepare for disasters

To make sure that the people would be better prepared for any calamity brought about by the rainy days, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has instructed local executives to immediately convene their respective local disaster coordinating councils.

"As chairmen of their respective local disaster coordinating councils, it is incumbent upon our local chief executives to respond to the needs of their constituents during calamities," Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes said in his memorandum issued to all concerned local chief executives.

This memorandum came as the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that last weekend's rainy Christmas weather is expected to continue as a combination of an active low-pressure area and the tail end of a cold front are predicted to bring rains to certain regions, including Central Visayas.

The weather bureau said that an active low-pressure area has been sighted north of Palawan and will bring heavy rains to the island province though it has not shown any signs of getting stronger.

Reyes said, the local chief executives must undertake measures to respond to emergencies such as, organizing disaster preparedness and response teams; activation of evacuation sites and clearing of canals and drainage.

Likewise, the DILG secretary has urged the local disaster coordinating councils to declare their respective areas of jurisdiction in state of calamity when the situation warrants.

"In every calamity that befell on our community, it is our duty to help in anyway we can," Reyes said.

This memorandum from Reyes came at the wake of the heavy flooding in Mindoro Oriental that resulted to the death of several people.

However, the local weather bureau clarified that the low-pressure area will not hit Central Visayas, but will only cause rains in some parts of the region.

The said active low-pressure area is expected to move west to the South China Sea in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Weather forecaster Jun Amarillo said that some parts of Cebu will experience cloudy skies and there will still be cold winds as we are in the tail end of the cold front.

"Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the east and southeast with slight to moderate seas," Amarillo said. - Jasmin R. Uy and Garry B. Lao