IN anticipation of the 70 to 80 percent chance of La Nina forming in the last quarter of this year, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) this early enjoined local chief executives (LCEs) to take precautionary measures to mitigate the impact of the wet days.

Secretary Eduardo Ano said that local government units (LGUs) should make it sure that all measures when it comes to preparation should be in place even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DILG chief also urged the LGUs to assess the structural integrity and capacity of vital facilities especially those being used as evacuation centers, health centers and hospitals for COVID positives in case patients are to be evacuated during typhoons.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), La Nina may emerge in October and possibly persist until the first quarter of 2022.

Basing on forecasts, the weather bureau noted that there is a higher probability of an above-normal rainfall conditions in many areas of the coutry in the next months.

“We always have to be preemptive instead of reactive in disaster response, which is why as early as now we encourage LGUs to convene their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs), conduct La Niña pre-disaster risk assessment (PDRA), and update their local contingency plans or La Niña action plans for Hydrometeorological Hazards,” he said.

At the same time, Ano also emphasized the need for local health officers to participate in meetings to ensure that the critical COVID-19 prevention protocols are already integrated.

LGUs he added, should ensure of unhampered logistics flow and supply chain management.

On top of these preparations, LGUs are urged to conduct a monthly assessment and ensure top shape functionality, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Offices, of all established Early-Warning Systems (EWS).

AUTHOR PROFILE

Joel dela Torre