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Department of the Interior and Local Government Central Luzon headed by Regional Director Florida Dijan, in support to DILG Secretary Mar Roxas’ issuance of Memorandum Circular No, 2014-70 dated June 10, 2014, has enjoined all Provincial Governors, City and Municipal Mayors to take pro-active actions in preparation for the adverse effects of El Niño phenomenon that is reduced rainfall and erratic typhoon cyclone.
PAGASA advised the public of the likelihood that the country will experience El Niño starting June this year and may last up to the 1st Quarter of 2015. It also stated that El Niño could affect the normal rainfall pattern in the country generally resulting in reduced rainfall. Different parts of the country may experience varying rainfall impacts. The country could also experience normal number of tropical cyclone this year, however, El Niño causes the behavior of tropical cyclones to become erratic, affecting its tracks and intensity.
On reduced rainfall, some of the pro-active actions stated in the Memo Circular that shall be observed are the monitoring of water level by source (e.g. dams and reservoirs); conduct of intensive information and education campaign activities on water conservation and sanitation measures; identification and monitoring of leakages on the water supply and distribution system; apprehending of illegal deep well operators and water peddlers; and cutting of water consumption by at least 5%.
On the other hand, some measures to consider on tropical cyclones are the establishment of a Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office; review and updating of Contingency Plan; dissemination of information materials such as Family Guide to Action on Warning and Evacuation Alert, installation of flood early warning and evacuation alarm system; and active partnership with the private sector, CSOs, Volunteer Groups and other local governments for DRRM and Emergency Response.
Conduct of clean up drives to include dredging of esteros, canals and other waterways to avoid clogging and other similar activities that would help prevent flood are likewise encouraged.
Three (3) cities in Central Luzon namely Angeles City, Balanga City (Bataan) and City of San Fernando (Pampanga) were among the 10 cities nationwide which received the 2014 e-Readiness Leadership Award during the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Forum entitled “ICT Innovations Forum: Key to Accelerating Local Governments’ Competitiveness” held on June 18, 2014 at Intercontinental Hotel, Makati City. Said cities received trophies during the awarding.
