Año warns mayors missing in action during calamities

MANILA, Philippines — Local chief executives should undertake preparedness measures and response protocols to ensure the safety of their constituents during typhoons, flashfloods, landslides and heavy rains, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said yesterday.

Año reminded local chief executives that they should always be present in times of calamities to supervise disaster risk reduction and management measures.

“Huwag maging missing in action sa panahon ng kalamidad,” he said.

In November last year, the Department of the Interior and Local Government issued show cause orders against 10 mayors who went missing or were outside their local government units during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Rolly.

Año said local chief executives should convene their local disaster risk reduction and management councils and conduct a pre-disaster risk assessment for floods, rain-induced landslides, storm surges, strong winds and other hydro-meteorological hazards.

Año said it is better for government officials to be ready rather than be caught flat-footed when calamities strike.

“Prevention is better than cure,” he said.