Press Release
December 3, 2012

Legarda urges LGUs, public to be prepared for Typhoon Pablo

Senator Loren Legarda today urged local government units and the public to be prepared and remain alert as Typhoon Pablo entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

"Let us heed the warning and the lessons of Ondoy, Pepeng and Sendong. Both the government and our people should have been prepared way before the typhoon entered the country," said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change.

According to PAGASA, Surigao del Sur and the Northern part of Davao Oriental were placed under Storm Signal No. 2, while 22 other areas in Visayas and Mindanao were placed under Signal No. 1, even as Typhoon Pablo weakened slightly on Monday morning.

"Our LGUs already know the disaster-prone areas based on their geo-hazard maps. Early warning should work to save lives and properties. People and settlements at risk of landslides should be relocated ahead of heavy rains. Risk awareness and political will are very important," she remarked.

"Our communities should also clear the esteros and the waterways, pay attention to early warning systems and do not hesitate to evacuate once the signal to do so is given," she added.

The Senator also said that "PAGASA is doing its best, and our monitoring and warning systems have greatly improved over the past few years. Let us pay attention to the news reports and help each other by disseminating information, whether through radio, text, television, or social networking sites. Let us also remember to relay only verified and official information so as not to create confusion."

"The fusion of socio-economic realities and extreme climatic events demand scaled up efforts in reducing disaster and climate risks. But through concerted action and the participation of all citizens, we will be able to make it through these challenges," Legarda concluded.

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