In line with the government’s aim for zero casualties during disasters, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo is urging all local government units (LGUs) to adopt and implement emergency measures such as preemptive or forced evacuation in areas declared to be in imminent danger in times of disasters.

Robredo said provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, and punong barangays are mandated under the Local Government Code to carry out the necessary emergency measures during and in the aftermath of man-made and natural calamities.

The enactment of ordinances is part of the guidelines issued by the department recently to ensure public safety during manmade and natural disasters.

“We cannot prevent disasters from happening, but we can do everything within our means to mitigate their adverse effects and prevent the loss of human lives,” said Robredo.

In his directive, the DILG Secretary said the ordinance should include the following: enforcement of forced evacuation within the LGU shall be upon the recommendation of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee; evacuation centers; and enlistment of the assistance of Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and other responders in the area.

The ordinance must also prohibit fishing vessels and fishing activities in areas declared under storm signal No. 1 or higher; measures ensuring the safety of first responders and the residents evacuated; designated waiting area for government vehicles that will transport residents to evacuation centers; and period when the affected residents may be allowed to return to their homes.

Robredo reminded LGUs that forced evacuation should be carried out in a manner that is “humane, respectful of the dignity of persons, not using disproportionate force, without discrimination and with conscious attention to the needs of vulnerable sectors such as children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.”

Robredo said LCEs must see to it that training and orientation on the possible natural hazards, vulnerabilities, and climate-change risks as well as on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) are organized and conducted at the local level by the NDRRMC.

“At the onset of the rainy season, these orientations and information dissemination activities should be intensified and made on a regular basis, especially in coastal areas and in areas that are vulnerable to flooding, landslides and other natural disasters or calamities,” said Robredo.

He also said that local execs and other concerned officials should familiarize themselves with the directives of PCG on movement of vessels. In particular, vessels of 1,000 gross tons or below shall not sail, except to take shelter, when storm signal no. 1 is raised within destination. Movement of vessels above 1,000 gross tons is left to the discretion and responsibility of the ship owner and master when storm signal no. 1 is hosted within its point of origin or route or point of destination. Similarly, vessels of any tonnage shall not sail, except to take shelter, when signal no. 2 or higher is hoisted within its point of origin or route or point of destination.*