In light of the dangers posed by relentless rains caused by the southwest monsoon or ‘habagat,’ Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ Remulla urged concerned local chief executives to implement forced evacuation in high-risk areas.
Remulla gave the order to ensure the safety of affected residents in heavily flooded locations. He asked all concerned local government units (LGUs) to prioritize the transfer of vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities to safer grounds.
Based on the latest weather advisory of PAGASA, habagat will continue to bring moderate to intense rains over Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon Province, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Occidental Mindoro.
Flooding is expected in areas that are urbanized, low-lying, and near rivers. Landslides may also occur in moderate to highly susceptible areas.
Through a memorandum, Remulla also directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to fully support the local chief executives in the enforcement of mandatory evacuation efforts.
He added that PNP personnel should ensure orderly implementation and assist in securing temporary shelters and evacuation centers.
Remulla likewise enjoined all affected residents to heed the advice of local authorities and promptly relocate to designated evacuation facilities.
To ensure that the needs of evacuees and affected families are provided, the LGUs were tasked to coordinate with their respective Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and the Department of Social Welfare and Development for relief distribution from the national government.
