#GlendaPH response: What Albay is doing

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – The province of Albay, regarded as a model for excellence in disaster management, shows how a local government should quickly respond to Typhoon Glenda (international name Rammasun).

Governor Joey Salceda led the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRM) in undertaking the following steps to prepare for the typhoon which is expected to make landfall over the Albay-Sorsogon area by Tuesday evening, July 15.

On Tuesday, July 14

• Suspended work in government except those engaged in disaster response work including the military, police, public health units, and other agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Food Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Provincial Engineering Office; and, upon standing request, fiscal and financial sectors.
• Enjoined private enterprises not engaged in the provision of food and non-food relief items to suspend work.

On Monday, July 14

• Ordered the evacuation of thousands of people in various areas susceptible to flooding, landslide, lahar (mudflow), and storm surge. 

• Suspended all classes at all levels in all areas both in the public and private schools, effective Monday, July 14, at 12:00 noon until lifted.

• Urged residents along rivers and areas of steep slope to preidentify safer grounds and facilities for possible evacuation in case of flood and landslide 
• Directed all local disaster risk reduction and management councils (LDRRMCs) to be on heightened alert in their areas of responsibility, and to monitor status of the typhoon.
• Prohibited small fishing vessels and passenger sea crafts from sailing to sea. 

On Facebook and other media, Salceda told his constituents to stay alert for regular emergency advisories through the PDRRMC Smart infoboard and local broadcast stations.

What LGUs should do

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRMC) urged the public and LDRRMCs to “take appropriate actions” in response to Tropical Storm Glenda.

Here is a checklist on what LGUs should undertake during disasters. 

The material includes lessons from “Iba na ang panahon (Time has changed): Science for Safer Communities,” a series of workshops with LGUs initiated by Department of the Interior and Local Government, Office of Civil Defense, and the Department of Science and Technology. The workshops were conducted across the country in April and May to prepare vulnerable communities for the typhoon season. – Rappler.com

Tell us what your LGU is doing to prepare for disasters, and stay alert with the latest weather and disaster information through Project Agos.