The preemptive and forced evacuation of residents in typhoon-prone areas helped the country avoid significant casualties during the recent storms, according to the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD).
“Bago pa mag forced evacuation, meron nang pre-emptive [evacuation] kung saan hinihikayat, kinukumbinsi ang mga tao na nandoon sa mga risk areas na lumikas at pumunta sa mga ligtas na lugar,” OCD Assistant Secretary for Operations Cesar Idio said.
Idio made the remarks at a briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) headquarters in Quezon City.
The government initially carries out “preemptive evacuation.” If residents refuse to leave, a “forced evacuation” is then implemented.
“Iyan ang isang susi ng ating tagumpay. Kahit ‘yun mga nakaraang [bagyo], minimum casualty dahil ang ating goal ay zero casualty as much as possible. Although mahirap abutin ‘yan. At least gawin natin mabuti ang ating trabaho,” he said.
Earlier, the OCD official said several government agencies convened to discuss the situation regarding Super Typhoon Pepito.
“Sa ngayon ang main concern po ng ating government starting from the national, regional, at local levels [is] to provide the life-saving immediate relief needs of our affected population due to the consecutive tropical cyclones,” he added.
Idio said the government conducts rapid damage assessments and needs analyses to determine the extent of damages and requirements of affected populations.
“[Gamit ito], malaman din po kaagad kung ano ang immediate needs ng affected population. At para makagawa ng kaukulang aksyon at desisyon ang ating gobyerno,” Idio said. (PND)
