Odilao calls for vigilance now that the rainy season is here

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Councilor Bernard Joseph T. Odilao, chairman of  the committee on environment, called for constant vigilance among the barangay officials, personnel, and residents especially living near the flood-prone area as the rainy season has already started.

In a proposed resolution, Odilao said everyone should take precautionary measures for safety and risk avoidance because with continuous and heavy rains, floodwaters rise swiftly and landslides are more likely to occur.

“Our barangay officials and personnel being at the root and forefront of local governance should maintain a steady alertness and should be proactive in terms of preparedness and must constantly be in tandem with the city government unit for any eventuality,” Odilao said in his resolution.

The rainy season usually brings problems such as diseases, floods, mudslides, rockslides, and landslides as well as clogged drainage systems.

Odilao said watchfulness and concern should be practiced by everyone at all times.

He also urges citizens to heed warnings.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said that provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, and punong barangays are mandated under the Local Government Code to carry out the necessary emergency measures during and in the aftermath of manmade and natural disasters and calamities.

Section 16 of the Code, otherwise known as the General Welfare Clause, specifically calls on LGUs to “exercise the powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of general welfare.”

The DILG has told the LGU’s to enact an ordinance about disasters, which include the following: enforcement of forced evacuation within the LGU shall be upon the recommendation of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee; evacuation centers; and enlistment of the assistance of PNP, AFP, BJMP, BFP, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other responders in the area.

Other items that should be seen in the ordinance are: measures that will prohibit fishing vessels and fishing activities in areas declared under storm signal No. 1 or higher; measures ensuring the safety of first responders and the residents evacuated; designated waiting area for government vehicles that will transport residents to evacuation centers; and period when the affected residents may be allowed to return to their homes.

The DILG reminded LGUs that forced evacuation should be carried out in a manner that is “humane, respectful of the dignity of persons, not using disproportionate force, without discrimination and with conscious attention to the needs of vulnerable sectors such as children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.”(FREEMAN)