During the onslaught of the Southwest Monsoon and Typhoons Crising, Dante, and Emong, local chief executives (LCEs) of the 1,486 affected local government units (LGUs) have proven that their constituents can indeed count on them. As chairpersons of their Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs), governors, mayors, and punong barangays led disaster preparedness and response efforts in their areas.

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Guided by Operation Listo, the LCEs undertook various critical actions, including preparing and distributing relief goods, evacuating residents, monitoring high-risk areas, inspecting affected sites, conducting search and rescue operations, and leading clearing efforts in their respective communities.

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In Laguna, Governor Sol Aragones, Biñan City Mayor Gel Alonte, and Malampasan Punong Barangay Evelyn Dicdican personally oversaw the distribution of relief goods to affected evacuees in separate events, alongside department heads and other elected LGU officials.

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In Quezon City, Mayor Joy Belmonte visited evacuation sites in Barangays NortFairview, San Bartolome, and Bagbag, and inspected the damaged hanging bridge at the Tullahan River.

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In Camarines Sur, Provincial Governor Vicenzo Renato Luigi Villafuerte, Pasacao Municipal Mayor Niño Tayco and personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development led the distribution of relief packs to families in need. Stranded passengers at Pasacao Port also received ready-to-eat food packs.

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The weeklong weather disturbance has affected 1.46 million families, or 5.299 million people, across 5,833 barangays in 18 regions. So far, there have been 13 reported deaths, five injuries, and five people missing. A state of calamity has been declared in 154 affected cities and municipalities in Regions 1, 3, 6, NCR, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and NIR.

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As Vice Chairperson for Preparedness, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has continuously enhanced the capacities of local government units on disaster risk reduction and management and climate change adaptation (DRRM-CCA). This is pursuant to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s goal of building safer, adaptive, and more resilient communities.

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Under Section 12 of Republic Act 10121, known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, the governor or city/municipal mayor serves as the chairperson of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) established in every province, city, and municipality. Additionally, the punong barangay heads the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC) set up in every barangay.