The National Disaster for Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) released guidelines on preparing for the rains amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declared the start of the wet season on June 12.
The memorandum of the NDRRMC stated that the National Disaster Response Plan must be aligned with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID)’s resolutions and guidelines.
The NDRRMC reminded local government units (LGUs) to provide an inventory of evacuation centers that are different from the quarantine facilities. Physical distancing in evacuation centers must be ensured and vulnerable citizens must be prioritized.
Respondents are also required to wear PPEs such as facemasks, face shields and gloves while the public is reminded to be updated on the weather situation, wear a face mask, have a “go-bag” that contains food, flashlight, clothes, medicine, and other necessities, and to stay home and stock on food.
The NDRRMC assured its help in terms of relief goods for citizens in need. The agency is also conducting training and webinars for proper action and response plans in maintaining the safety of all amid the rainy season and the pandemic. – Report from Sandra Samala
