Roxas: LGUs “LISTO” Response a Model in Disaster Preparedness Resulting in Zero Casualties

(DILG) — The main reason for the “zero casualty” rate in Isabela in the wake of Typhoon Chedeng was the?deliberate, programmatic, and sustained disaster response of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC).

This was stressed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas during the post-Chedeng assessment meeting held by PDRRMC-Isabela Monday afternoon wherein he lauded local officials of Isabela led by Gov. Faustiino “Bodjie” Dy for successfully executing the province’s disaster risk reduction plan.

According to Roxas, even if the typhoon, first categorized by the country’s weather bureau as a super typhoon eventually weakened and was downgraded to a tropical depression, local officials of Isabela and members of the PDRRMC did not let their guard down and performed their duties and responsibilities to the people.

He said the Province of Isabela’s disaster-preparedness set up and response to Chedeng can be a model for all provinces, as it fully observed the DILG’s minimum disaster-preparedness checklist under Oplan LISTO, the deliberate, programmatic, and sustained disaster preparedness and management plan formulated by the DILG for LGUs in response to natural calamities.

Aside from the members of the PDRRMC, also present during post-disaster meeting were Mayors Reynaldo Derije (Dinapigue), Jaime Atayde (Luna), Bernard Dy (Cauayan City), Josemarie Diaz (Ilagan City), Joseph Tan (Santiago City), Dean Anthony Domalanta (San Mariano), William Kiat (Echague), William Uy (Aurora), Gilbert Masigan (Sta. Maria), Malou Sanchez (San Guillermo), Vice Mayor Roberto Agcaoili (San Mateo), and Liga ng Barangay Region 2 President Benzi Tan Chai.

“Marahil itong Holy Week at Easter ay hindi ninyo naranasan ang pagsasama-sama ng pamilya na karaniwan nating ginagawa dahil sa banta ni Chedeng. Sa ngalan po ng ?lahat ng nakinabang sa inyong sakripisyo at pagpupuyat para po tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng taongbayan dito sa Isabela, maraming salamat po,” he said.

Before the meeting, Roxas was given a tour by Dy to a mini-exhibit prepared by the PDRRMC-Isabela to showcase the province’s search and rescue equipment and gadgetry, which impressed the DILG chief ?as “sophisticated”.

During the meeting, Dy turned over the PDRRMC’s report highlighting the actions taken before, during and after Chedeng. As early as March 30, upon receiving advisories about the typhoon from the DILG, Dy immediately convened the PDRRMC.

From then on, the PDRRMC started executing the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) plan, starting with alerting city and municipal LGUs, pre-positioning of search and rescue teams, pre-emptive evacuation and distribution of food packs to evacuation centers. The PDRRMC, since then until April 6, were on 24-hour monitoring of the typhoon.

Roxas said members of the PDRRMC should not feel that their efforts and preparation for Chedeng were for naught because of the weakening of the typhoon. He said the Philippines is frequented by typhoons and it can hit the country anytime soon.

“Wag po tayong manghinayang dahil po hindi nasayang ang ating paghahanda sa bagyo. Itong pagsiksikap ninyo ay magsisilbing matibay na pundasyon sa larangan ng kalamidad. Kung hindi man natin magagamit ngayon, ay magagamit po natin iyan sa susunod na pagkakataon,” he said.

Roxas said those in the Eastern Seaboards should be prepared for typhoons at all times, noting that the country is frequented by such weather disturbance that can endanger the lives of the people, particularly those living in hazard-prone areas.

“Wala man tayong control kung saan at kailan tatama ang bagyo, pero may control tayo kung paano tayo maghahanda para sa bagyo. Dapat laging ganito. Fast forward na po tayo. Wag na tayong mag-wind. Dapat deliberate, programmatic at sustained ang ating disaster risk reduction management plan at execution. Ito po ay ang whole-of-government approach na dapat natin ipatupad,” he said.