Ano urges public to follow LGU measures as Typhoon ”Ulysses” nears

November 11, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano on Wednesday urged the public and all local government units (LGUs), especially in the Bicol region and nearby areas, to immediately implement Oplan Listo protocols and be ready for Typhoon “Ulysses”.

“The public is urged to abide by LGUs’ pre-emptive evacuation procedures especially in low-lying areas as Ulysses is expected to make landfall soon,” Ano said in a statement.

The secretary said their office, with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), is expecting the citizens to participate, cooperate and be disciplined as the country prepares for ''Ulysses''.

“LGUs are directed to establish critical preparedness actions and carry out Operation L!STO Protocols and implement DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-125 - LISTO SA TAG-ULAN AT COVID-19: Preparedness Measures of LGUs for the Rainy Season CY 2020 , and prioritize the prepositioning of supplies, equipment and personnel for immediate response,” Ano said.

“LGUs must also activate their barangay DRRMCs (disaster risk reduction management council) for early warning measures and vigilant monitoring of areas susceptible to flood and storm surges.  Persistent information dissemination using all media platforms is also encouraged to ensure that the public is updated,” he added.

Ano said these, among others, are the immediate actions that LGUs should carry out as he reiterates that local chief executives who will be reported to be missing  during a typhoon will be made accountable.

“We have braved countless storms as a nation; through our cooperation and discipline, we can conquer anew” he said.

Meanwhile, the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) also placed some PNP units on  alert  ahead of the expected landfall of the tropical storm in the Bicol and Southern Tagalog regions.

Sinas alerted all regional police offices and national support units in Southern Luzon to muster all disaster response capability for risk reduction and public safety operations in areas along the path of '' Ulysses'' that will experience strong winds, heavy rains, and storm surges.

Local units were directed to provide assistance and security to evacuation centers and temporary shelters put up by LGU and DRRMO (Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices)  where PNP Food Bank resources will also be prepositioned.

As of 2pm, the weather bureau said Typhoon ''Ulysses''  intensified as it moved closer towards the Quezon-Aurora area.

It was last spotted 125 km north-northwest of Virac, Catanduanes or 95 km northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte. Ella Dionisio/DMS