This developed after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) had released an advisory on October 5 that La Niña may last until February 2023.
Ancajas said people must prepare for “above normal rainfall conditions that could lead to potential adverse impacts such as heavy rainfall, flood, landslide, flash flood over highly vulnerable areas.”
“We all know that flooding is part of our hazard and risk profile here in Davao City,” Ancajas said in a report from the City Information Office (CIO).
He said people are responsible for arming themselves with the information regarding hazards and risks in their surroundings which was released by CDRRMO and the local government.
The CDRRMO has put up risk and warning signages in areas prone to flooding, landslide, flash flood, and areas with faultlines “so people living in those areas are informed correctly,” Ancajas said.
Ancajas urged residents living near rivers, creeks and other bodies of water to heed the color-coding alert-level system, with ‘code orange’ meaning pre-emptive evacuation while ‘code red’ signifying forced evacuation.
According to him, the city-wide siren system, which is sound-tested every Tuesday, is another part of the city’s early warning system.
Disaster preparedness at the household level must be practiced religiously, Ancajas said, adding each household must have its own “go bag” containing important documents, water, non-perishable food good for at least three days, a whistle, AM radio, and extra clothing.
Active participation during emergency drills in the workplace, schools and residences is also essential in disaster preparedness, Ancajas further said.
He said proper segregation and disposal of garbage and routine drainage-clearing go hand-in-hand with large-scale efforts geared towards environmental conservation, protection and rehabilitation, in preventing and mitigating the risks posed during the La Niña period.
Ancajas told residents living in landslide and flood-prone areas to see to it that their trash will not end up in the waterways, a major contributor to flooding.