THE OFFICE of Civil Defense – Region 6’s call for preemptive evacuation ahead of Super Typhoon “Uwan” once again placed local government units (LGUs) at the frontlines of disaster response. It was a familiar reminder of the critical role LGUs play in safeguarding lives — and an equally familiar question resurfaced: Are our local governments truly prepared to respond swiftly and effectively when the call comes?
Across Western Visayas, the capability of LGUs to implement early evacuation and other preemptive measures remains uneven. Some cities and municipalities, such as Iloilo City and San Carlos City, have institutionalized strong disaster risk reduction and management systems (DRRMs), complete with dedicated personnel, well-equipped emergency operations centers, and active community-based response networks. But in many smaller towns and upland or coastal barangays, the reality is far different — limited resources, outdated equipment, and insufficiently trained responders continue to hamper swift and coordinated action.
This disparity in preparedness exposes the need for deeper, sustained investments in capacity-building at the barangay level. It is in these communities where the first response to disaster unfolds, often long before provincial or national reinforcements arrive. Yet too many barangay DRRM committees exist in name only, lacking functional rescue tools, communications gear, and basic training in evacuation management or first aid. The gap between policy and capability widens each year, especially as climate change brings more frequent and powerful storms.
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have long emphasized the importance of localized disaster planning. But plans alone cannot save lives without corresponding investment in human and logistical capacity. The national government must ensure that disaster funds reach where they are most needed — at the barangay level — and that these are used transparently for training, equipment, and early warning systems rather than being treated as discretionary budget items.
Western Visayas knows too well the cost of unpreparedness. From Typhoon Frank in 2008 to Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 to Typhoon Odette in 2021, every major storm has revealed gaps in coordination, communication, and resource mobilization. These recurring lessons should have already prompted systemic reform — a shift from reactive relief operations to proactive disaster mitigation grounded in empowered local governance.
With Super Typhoon “Uwan”, the region once again faces a test not only of resilience but of readiness. Disaster preparedness cannot depend solely on the resolve of LGU leaders during emergencies; it must be institutional, well-funded, and rooted in community competence. For Western Visayas to truly protect its people, it must begin by strengthening the very foundation of its defense — the local governments and barangays that stand at the first line of every storm.
