THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday urged local government units (LGUs) in Northern Luzon to strengthen preparations for the possible impact of Typhoon Marce.
In a press briefing with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), DILG Undersecretary Serafin Barreto Jr. called on LGUs to prepare evacuation centers and ensure they are ready for potential evacuees.
Attached agencies of the DILG, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), were also instructed to be on standby for deployment in affected areas.
“Our Secretary reminds them to prepare all evacuation centers and make necessary arrangements for the deployment of the PNP, BFP, and BJMP,” Barreto stated.
The BFP and BJMP are collaborating with LGUs on relief efforts, including stockpiling essential goods.
According to PAGASA’s latest report, Typhoon Marce was last spotted 600 km east of Baler, Aurora, moving toward extreme Northern Luzon at 30 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h. Marce is expected to make landfall between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning on Babuyan Island and the northern part of mainland Cagayan.
In a recent memorandum, the DILG advised LGUs to convene their Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs) and conduct pre-disaster risk assessments for floods, flash floods, landslides, and other hydrometeorological hazards. LGUs were also encouraged to establish drop-off zones to streamline relief distribution and to prioritize clearing waterways and drainage systems to reduce flood risks.
Barreto noted that key roads are being cleared to facilitate the swift and efficient delivery of aid.
The DILG also reminded LGUs to implement preparedness measures in line with the Operation L!sto protocols, an advocacy program designed to strengthen LGU disaster response through a coordinated, whole-of-government approach.