‘Oplan Listo’ for disaster readiness

THE Philippines, located along the Pacific typhoon belt and the so-called Ring of Fire, is prone to natural calamities. Most typhoon-prone areas are in the provinces, so it is important to prepare local communities before calamities hit them.

Preparedness is key in reducing the risk of natural hazards and disasters. Natural hazards are not predictable but if the community is ready, disasters can be mitigated. The success of government programs largely depends on community cooperation.

Early warning and early action have been instituted to address this year’s moderate El Niño which may result in strong typhoons and drought. Disaster response in 80 provinces and 1,490 cities and municipalities are closely monitored through Oplan Listo, which provides preparation checklists for local officials to minimize loss of lives and property caused by calamities.

A nationwide program drawn up by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Oplan Listo guides local government units (LGUs) preparedness, response, and monitoring before, during, and after a typhoon. Guidelines are based on best practices of the Philippine National Police, the Office of Civil Defense, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Bureau of Fire Protection.

LGUs ready measures, including pre-emptive evacuation as well as updated, real-time information, five to seven days before a typhoon strikes to lessen its impact on communities, aided by DOST tools such as 3D hazard maps, flood models, hazard simulation software, and mobile software applications. Local officials are better informed and provinces more proactive and vigilant because of lessons learned from areas affected by past disasters like super-typhoon Yolanda.

Local officials and the public play a crucial role in disaster preparedness and early response, in accordance with Local Government Code of 1991 and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Law of 2012. Both laws require LGUs to implement disaster risk reduction management plans to ensure safety to their constituents. Barangays are particularly engaged since they are at forefront of community action and services.

Oplan Listo was first evaluated during the onslaught by typhoon Ruby in December, 2014, in which 733,377 families were evacuated to safety, and in 37 provinces affected by typhoon Chedeng in April, 2015. It is a “whole-of-government approach” in which all concerned agencies simultaneously work together towards disaster mitigation.