Prioritize pregnant, elderly in evacuation – DILG tells LGUs

PREGNANT women and senior citizens must be prioritized during evacuation in times of disasters.

This was what the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) told the local government units (LGUs) during an open dialogue at the Capitol Social Hall.

Dennis Itom, DILG provincial focal person said around 72 Civil Society Officers (CSOs), non-government organizations (NGOs) and private sector representatives brought up the concern on the difficulty the elderly, women and children experience  when a community is ordered to evacuate their place.

Aside from this, the private sectors composed of representatives from  pharmacies and hospitals promised to give free basic medicines for victims of calamities within two days.

A power distributor also encouraged LGUs to tap them as they can also provide disaster trainings.

The academe also promised to help the LGUs in disseminating information on what should be done during disasters.

Meanwhile, the DILG asked towns in Cebu province to comply with requirements to create an evacuation plan and put up signs leading to the evacuation centers.

The towns of Alcantara, Alcoy, Aloguinsan,  Carmen, Catmon, Consolacion, Daanbantayan, Dumanjug, Liloan, Minglanilla, San Fernando, Santander, Tabogon, Tabuelan,  Tudela and the city of Toledo, Bogo, Naga, the cities of Cebu,

Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu have come up with disaster plans.

The LGUs that have put up signs leading to the evacuation centers are Alcoy, Cordova, City of Naga, San Fernando and San Remigio.

The DILG also said 18 LGUs are still in the process of completing their emergency plans while eight LGUs have yet to start creating evacuation plans.

The DILG recorded 43 LGUs in the province that have established LDRRMOs.