Philippines: Law allows forced evacuation to attain zero casualty

The new law governing disaster risk reduction management allowed the authorities to forcibly move out hard-headed residents in an identified danger area, even if this required bodily carrying them to safe grounds.

This was revealed by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Ailleen Estrera, head of the SP’s special committee on disaster risk reduction management, during the Action Center Kapihan sa PIA cable TV program Wednesday morning.

“The Police or the barangay tanods can take out by force a family or a person who will not heed the warnings to evacuate,” said Estrera, herself an active member of Sogod Emergency Response Team prior to his election at the provincial level.

Danny Atienza, head of the Provincial Disaster Management Office (PDMO), appealed to residents living along the high-risk areas like coastlines, riverbanks, or in mountainous valleys, and other low-lying areas to listen to calls to evacuate once it will be determined that the province will be in the typhoon’s path.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa) warned that incoming tropical storm “Yolanda” has the intensity to raise signal number four -- or winds more than 200 kph -- once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) expectedly within 48 hours from today, with Region 8 a direct hit if its present direction would not change.

Board Member Estrera said the government has always been trying to have zero casualty in the event of disasters, hence pre-emptive evacuation has been institutionalized and, in worst case scenarios, forced evacuation is employed.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council headed by Gov. Roger Mercado met today at the Governor’s office to thresh out detailed preparations in anticipation of Yolanda.

The City disaster team also has readied some 200 packs of relief goods as initial delivery for quick response when needed.

(esg/mmp, PIA8-Southern Leyte)