ILOILO City – With the Philippines entering the peak of the typhoon season, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has begun prepositioning essential non-food items (NFIs) in strategic locations across Western Visayas to ensure swift disaster response and support to vulnerable communities.
OCD Region 6 director Raul Fernandez said the agency is anticipating the possible impact of multiple typhoons in the coming months and is ready to assist local government units (LGUs) that may be affected.
The prepositioned NFIs include family kits, hygiene packs, shelter kits, and tents — items critical for evacuation and relief operations, Fernandez told reporters during a one-day Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) training for media held on June 30.
Among the identified sites for prepositioning are Banga in Aklan, Jamindan in Capiz, Camp Fullon in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, Iloilo City, and the 301st Infantry Brigade headquarters in Dingle, Iloilo, among other Philippine Army camps.
Aside from logistical preparation, Fernandez said the OCD is conducting orientation and capacity-building sessions for LGUs to help them prepare for the effects of typhoons, southwest monsoon rains, flooding, landslides, earthquakes, and even man-made disasters. The focus is on enhancing the ability of Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs), rescuers, and responders to conduct pre-disaster risk assessments using new procedures and guidelines.
Fernandez emphasized that early and localized preparations are key: “We have also visited several LGUs to remind them to start preparing. We’re confident in their capacity based on their performance in past years.”
OCD Region 6 is also urging LGUs to update and improve their flood control infrastructure. Spokesperson Maria Cristina Mayor stressed that LGUs are the “first line of preparedness” and should take proactive steps, such as inspecting and maintaining drainage systems, especially in low-lying and landslide-prone areas.
“They also need to strengthen their early warning systems and information campaigns to alert residents ahead of heavy rains and floods,” Mayor added.
As part of OCD-6’s internal readiness measures, Mayor said they have instructed all LDRRMOs to conduct an inventory of their search and rescue equipment. If gaps are found, LGUs may tap additional resources from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which have standby Search, Rescue, and Retrieval (SRR) teams.
Furthermore, OCD-6 has coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct maintenance and improvements on drainage systems to minimize flooding, even during moderate rainfall.
According to the latest forecast from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, around 11 to 19 tropical cyclones may affect the Philippines from June to November. One or two storms are expected in June, two to three each in July, August, and November, and two to four in September and October.
These preparations coincide with the 37th National Disaster Resilience Month this July, themed “Kumikilos para sa Kahandaan, Kaligtasan, at Katatagan!” which emphasizes collective action for disaster readiness, safety, and resilience./PN
