The order was contained in an alert bulletin issued by the department to local government units in Regions 5, 7, 8 and 13 (CARAGA Region) on Wednesday afternoon.
In a press statement, DILG Secretary Mar Roxas said he issued the directive after PAGASA said there is a 75 percent chance that Typhoon Hagupit would make its landfall in Eastern Visayas on Saturday noon or early evening.
The typhoon is forecast to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday, at which point it will be given the local storm designation “Ruby.”
“Sa panahong ganito dapat lahat ay palaging listo. Ang alalahanin natin nasa dulo ang pagsisisi,” Roxas said.
Roxas also ordered Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (LDRRMCs) in areas expected to be affected by Typhoon Hagupit to immediately convene to discuss disaster mitigation and response measures.
“I have ordered all local chief executives to make the necessary preparations. They have to convene their local disaster risk reduction management councils to operationalize disaster preparedness measures,” he said.
Roxas also cancelled any leave of absence filed by officials and personnel of disaster frontline agencies in regions expected to be affected by the typhoon. These agencies include the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), DILG and LGUs.
Roxas also issued a reminder to LGUs to ensure that there are enough stocks of drinking water, relief goods and first-aid kits in evacuation centers and municipal offices.
DILG regional offices have also been ordered to ensure constant communication and coordination with various civil society organizations and other government agencies, especially in terms of weather information dissemination and disaster response efforts. —Elizabeth Marcelo/KBK/JST, GMA News
