The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) directed its regional directors to intensify public information campaigns in communities at risk from the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), which continues to affect several parts of the country.
OCD Officer-in-Charge Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the directive, issued Saturday evening, follows instructions from National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Chair and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.
The defense chief earlier ordered officials of the disaster response agency to ensure that “crucial information is communicated in a timely, effective, and accurate manner to the areas that will be affected.”
“We have already directed our OCD Regional Directors to strengthen public information strategies and mechanisms,” Alejandro said, noting that the NDRRMC’s Crisis Communications Cluster is on hand to bolster these efforts.
A memorandum issued Thursday ordered the implementation of a preparedness checklist for national, regional, and local DRRMCs. The document outlines measures to mitigate the impacts of the monsoon, with agencies authorized to introduce additional steps during Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment meetings. These may include using tide forecasts alongside rainfall predictions to enhance flood prevention.
The OCD warned that Habagat may increase the risk of flooding and landslides, especially in areas with waterlogged soil. Regional and local disaster councils are holding regular monitoring and coordination meetings to ensure readiness.
“It is good news that Tropical Cyclone Fabian did not affect the country and Podul is unlikely to directly affect us. However, we should not be complacent, as we still face the threats posed by the Southwest Monsoon, or ‘Habagat,’ which may lead to renewed floods and landslides,” Alejandro said.
“We are continuously implementing preparedness measures to mitigate the impacts of the Southwest Monsoon, ensuring that we are ready to respond to any emergencies,” he added.
