Proposed DILG authority on class suspensions to be reviewed

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang will look into the proposal to grant the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) the power to suspend classes during typhoons.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla is seeking the authority to declare class suspensions whenever the country is experiencing a tropical cyclone to ensure that announcements are made early.

In a recent interview, Remulla, a former governor of Cavite, said the centralized setup would ensure a timely coordination with local governments.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Marcos has not responded officially to Remulla’s suggestion.

“This will be studied and if it is beneficial to the majority, it would be studied and the President would respond to it,” Castro said in a press briefing yesterday.

“But as of the moment, our present system where the heads of the agencies of LGUs (local government units) issue orders on the suspension of classes will remain,” she added.

Castro called on local governments to issue timely advisories on class suspensions so that the students and their parents would not be stuck in floods or traffic jams.

In the same press briefing, Castro said President Marcos has directed the immediate cleaning of drainage to prevent the fast rising of floodwaters, especially in Metro Manila. She also cited the need for local disaster management offices to be ready to act as first responders in times of calamities.

“The DILG has also ordered the strengthening of disaster preparedness measures in every local government. The DILG said... the activation of emergency operation centers, evacuation preparedness, updated contingency plans, community drills and exercises and the enforcement of no-build zones have been intensified,” the Palace press officer said.

“Let us expect our officials to undertake these measures so we can be better prepared,” she added. Castro also reminded the public to dispose of waste properly to reduce flood risks.

Rethink ‘resilience’

Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. urges the public to rethink the word “resilience,” a common buzzword during natural disasters that has been criticized for overlooking deeper issues.

True resilience, according to Solidum, doesn’t just mean bouncing back after floods ravage communities or earthquakes shake structures.

“It is about proactive preparedness and sustainable development that empower Filipinos to thrive,” Solidum said on Wednesday during the launch of “Panatag Pilipinas,” a risk advocacy multimedia campaign spearheaded by the Office of Civil Defense.

Solidum emphasized the role of science, technology and innovation for every Filipino to achieve true resiliency.

“Science informs you and guides your decision-making, but it is your action that makes science more powerful and practical,” the science secretary said. “There is immense power in science and technology because the strength is in knowing when and how to utilize these tools effectively.”

In previous occasions, Solidum has introduced various innovations where Filipinos can access reliable information for effective disaster preparedness.

Some of these include HazardHunterPH, a mobile app that compiles data from multiple government sources to provide information on earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and extreme weather events.

Meanwhile, GeoRiskPH, or the Geospatial Information Management and Analysis Project for Hazards and Risk Assessment in the Philippines, is used to plan relocation efforts for affected individuals, moving them not only to housing programs but also offering livelihood opportunities for them to thrive.

Solidum added that resiliency should be anchored on truthful information — a challenge in the age of social media and artificial intelligence.

“We are challenged with so many types of information: the right information, mal-information, misinformation, disinformation. That is why we have to make sure that we base our actions on the right information,” he said.

Panatag Pilipinas has produced a series of videos to convey disaster preparedness lessons for Filipinos traveling on public transport, watching in cinemas and browsing social media. The face of these videos is actor Dingdong Dantes, who is also a Navy reservist.