The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged local government units (LGUs) on Saturday to enforce preemptive and forced evacuations in flood, landslide and lahar-prone areas across Luzon and Visayas as an LPA-enhanced Southwest monsoon brings heavy rains.
LGUs must immediately relocate at-risk residents, prioritizing children, older persons, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities to safe, fully equipped evacuation centers consistent with Joint Memorandum Circular No. 02, series of 2021 guidelines.
Under the directive, highly susceptible flood and landslide areas require immediate preemptive evacuations, with residents prohibited from returning until cleared by authorities. Moderately susceptible areas must monitor rising water levels, initiating evacuation when floodwaters approach 0.5 meters, and immediately report ground cracks, while lower-susceptibility zones should watch for upstream river blockages.
Communities near Mount Pinatubo and Taal Volcano lahar hazard zones must also maintain heightened vigilance and LGUs are instructed to clear river channel obstructions.
Deployed PNP and BFP personnel are currently assisting in flood-affected areas and evacuation camps. Urging the public to stay vigilant and cooperate, the DILG advised, “sa atin pong mga kababayan, kung alam po natin na tayo ay nasa lugar na mabilis bahain ay magkusa na po tayo sa paglikas. Para din po ito sa inyong kaligtasan.”