Ormoc Council maps out disaster evacuation plan

ORMOC CITY, Philippines — The City Council, headed by Vice Mayor Leo Carmelo Locsin Jr., recently approved an ordinance implementing pre-emptive or forced evacuation of residents from high-risk areas during disaster or emergency situation. 

The measure, sponsored by Councilor Godiardo Ebcas, public safety committee chair, complied with DILG Circular 2012-35 enjoining LGUs to enact local laws enabling disaster risk reduction management systems.

During the council' deliberation of the ordinance, city disaster risk reduction officer Ben Matiga told local legislators on the need of such law considering that some areas in the city are flood-prone.

Matiga told the council that previous rescue efforts, such as during the flooding at sitio Noah in Brgy. Liloan, underwent difficulty because residents refused to leave their homes until it was almost impossible to get them out from there.

Now with the ordinance, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) can forcibly evacuate residents without fear of being slapped with administrative cases later on.

The ordinance provides that forced evacuation can only be declared by the mayor upon the recommendation of  the CDRRMO, and that barangays shall formulate their respective evacuation plans and identify beforehand places for the evacuees. (FREEMAN)