Guv calls for a review of disaster response plans
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Governor Lilia Pineda on Monday called on disaster response officials and stakeholders to take a second look at the different plans of various towns and cities here and provide greater provisions for response and evacuation measur es.
Governor Pineda made this call during the briefing with local officials and stakeholders at the Max’s Restaurant here. She said that there should be emphasis on the need for quick response in times of flooding as well as foresight among local officials in implementing evacuation of residents in high-risk areas.
This came as some 99 barangays have been hit by flooding with at least 154 families under evacuation after the series of monsoon rains in the province that was intensified by recent typhoons Inday and Josie,
As of Monday afternoon, almost 301 farmers in this town covering 570 hectares were already affected by the flooding caused by severe rainfall brought about by typhoon “Josie” and intensified by the southwest monsoon.
According to Mayor Venancio “Asyong”Macapagal, more than 2,356 metric tons of harvestable crops
according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.
Governor Pineda said that while the Department of Public Works and Highways is doing engineering interventions on waterways and flood control channels, officials in various towns should discourage further construction of houses in high-risk areas.
The governor said that they are also now looking on “land banking” for the construction of new and bigger evacuation sites for people in high risk areas.
She also reminded officials to continuously update their disaster response plans to cater to the ever changing flooding situation in the province.