The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday urged concerned local government units (LGUs) to strengthen preparation for the possible effects of Typhoon Marce over Northern Luzon.

In a press briefing by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the DILG, through Undersecretary Serafin Barreto Jr., reminded LGUs to prepare and ensure that evacuation centers are ready.

The DILG’s attached agencies — Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology — were also directed to be on standby for possible deployment over the affected areas.

“Ang atin pong Secretary ay nagpapaalala sa kanila na ihanda ang lahat ng evacuation areas at gawin ang lahat ng paghahanda tungkol sa deployment ng PNP (Philippine National Police), BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection), at BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology),” said Barreto.

He said firefighters of the BFP and the jail personnel of the BJMP are now working closely with LGUs and helping in the stock-piling of relief goods.

According to the latest report issued by PAGASA, Typhoon Marce was monitored 600km east of Baler, Aurora and is currently traveling with a speed of up to 30 Km/H towards the extreme Northern Luzon with a maximum sustained wind of 120 Km/H.

Marce is expected to make landfall Thursday afternoon until Friday morning on Babuyan Island and northern parts 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, rain-induced landslides, and other hydrometeorological hazards.

The DILG has also urged the establishment of drop-off zones for a more orderly and systematic distribution of relief goods.

LGUs are also reminded to spearhead the declogging and cleaning of waterways and drainage systems to mitigate flooding in the streets, especially in areas affected by the recent typhoons.

Barreto added that key roads are also being cleared to ensure the quick and more efficient delivery of relief goods and other assistance.

The Department also reminded LGUs to establish and strictly implement critical preparedness actions based on the Operation L!sto protocols, an advocacy program of the DILG which aims to strengthen the disaster preparedness of LGUs using the whole-of-government approach.

Original Article At: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-reminds-LGUs-to-prepare-vs-Typhoon-Marce/NC-2024-1136