The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) issued an urgent call on Monday to all local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas to promptly assess, upgrade, and reinforce their flood control systems amid the rainy season.
The agency warned that failure to act could result in severe consequences, especially in low-lying and landslide-prone communities.
“The first line of preparedness is always with the LGUs,” said OCD-Western Visayas spokesperson Maria Cristina Mayor. “That’s why we always advise them to improve and update their flood control projects to lessen the impact of rains, especially in vulnerable areas.”
The OCD emphasized that LGUs must not only ensure flood infrastructures are functional, but also intensify early warning systems and community information drives to boost public readiness.
“They need to strengthen their information and early warning campaigns so residents can prepare early,” Mayor said, noting that community cooperation is vital.
“We urge not only the LGUs but the entire community to be proactive. If a preemptive evacuation is ordered, everyone must be ready to leave for safer ground,” she added.
The OCD-Western Visayas has directed its local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs) to conduct an inventory of their search and rescue equipment in preparation for potential emergencies.
Should there be deficiencies, the LGUs are encouraged to coordinate with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and even neighboring LGUs that are not affected. This approach is already being implemented in Negros Occidental.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is also on standby to deploy clearing equipment when necessary, as Mayor emphasized that flood prevention goes beyond infrastructure alone.
“We have coordinated with the DPWH to improve and maintain drainage systems, especially in flood-prone areas. But even the best drainage system will fail if residents keep clogging them with trash,” she said. “We must also improve our garbage disposal habits.”