ABOUT 17,000 villages across the country face moderate to very high susceptibility to flooding and rain-induced landslides, prompting the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to order local government units (LGUs) to intensify preventive measures and prepare for possible evacuations.
The DILG issued the directive after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the prevailing southwest monsoon is expected to bring heavy rains that could cause flooding, flash floods and rain-induced landslides.
In an advisory, the DILG directed LGUs to conduct pre-disaster risk assessments covering flooding, flash floods, rain-induced landslides, debris flow, strong winds and other hydrometeorological hazards.
LGUs were also ordered to carry out preemptive or mandatory evacuations in communities repeatedly affected by flooding and landslides whenever conditions warrant.
The DILG said LGUs must ensure that health facilities and evacuation centers have reliable power supplies and functional generators to support residents who may need to be evacuated.
Local authorities were also told to use their hydrometeorological hazard maps to identify at-risk communities, and preposition personnel and equipment for clearing road obstructions and keeping routes open for emergency response and relief operations.
Disaster risk reduction and management personnel must closely monitor river levels in moderately vulnerable areas.
In high-risk areas, LGUs were directed to implement preemptive evacuation protocols, particularly for households near active river systems, keep waterways clear and restrict access to areas identified as prone to flash floods.
The DILG also issued measures for communities vulnerable to landslides.
Residents in areas with low landslide susceptibility were advised to remain alert for warning signs, such as sudden changes in water flow or clear water turning muddy.
In moderately susceptible areas, LGUs should consider preemptive evacuation, particularly for residents living near the foot of gullies and creeks.
Residents in highly susceptible areas are strongly encouraged to evacuate to safer ground. Those from communities where landslides have already occurred should not be allowed to return until authorities have assessed the area and declared it safe.
The DILG said LGUs must act before conditions worsen, particularly in communities already identified as vulnerable to flooding and landslides, to protect lives and ensure that emergency response operations can be carried out without delay.
