SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA)—Brace yourself for the feared impact of the looming La Niña phenomenon characterized by above-normal rainfall, government disaster risk reduction management agencies have warned the public.
With the feared onslaught of torrential rains in the coming months, the effects of the weather conditions could be disastrous if people are unprepared, authorities said.
Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief Broderick Train pointed out the importance of using information in disaster preparedness.
“There is no better way to limit the impact of disasters than preparedness,” he said.
Train emphasized the need for communities to use weather condition information from various government agencies to brace themselves for impending natural calamities and plan for mitigation measures.
Further, Train said the public must closely monitor weather updates from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and immediately prepare when weather disturbances are reported.
Also, the DRRM chief warned that communities with historical flash floods and landslides must anticipate their reoccurrence and carry out preemptive evacuation measures to minimize risks and avoid the loss of lives.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has categorized most parts of Antique as highly susceptible to landslides and flooding.
Meanwhile, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-6 Information Officer Maria Christina Mayor told the public to follow early warnings and instructions from local DRRM offices.
The mayor also said that keeping the surroundings clean to prevent blockage of drainage systems and initiating reforestation initiatives contribute to minimizing the impact of disasters, including typhoons.
According to PAGASA-Iloilo, tropical cyclones now form more frequently and closer to the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), giving Filipinos less preparation time.
Thus, DRMM Unit head Christian James Jandayran recommended that families always be ready.
He encouraged local community leaders to get their weather information from PAGASA’s official social media accounts for weather bulletins. (AGP/BPS/PIA Antique)
