The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has placed its national emergency response systems on high alert as Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi) approaches the country.
Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna ordered all field offices, attached bureaus, and regional units to prepare extensively to protect agency staff and safeguard vulnerable environmental zones.
“Kapag mayroong bagyo, dapat palaging maaga ang ating paghahanda at aksyon. Walang mas mahalaga kundi ang kaligtasan ng ating mga tao at ang proteksyon ng ating kalikasan,” Cuna stated.
Under the directive, the agency’s disaster and incident management teams will conduct round-the-clock monitoring.
The DENR is also closely coordinating with the NDRRMC, PAGASA, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), and the Office of Civil Defense to deliver swift geohazard updates and streamline efforts with local government units.
Field personnel are focusing their resources on regions highly susceptible to floods and landslides. Current operations include disseminating weather advisories, securing government records and properties, and reinforcing local evacuation plans. Coastal and high-risk municipalities have been advised to execute preemptive evacuations to ensure resident safety.
To keep operations running smoothly, the DENR will implement skeletal deployments and flexible working schemes. All units are required to provide regular situational updates to the main headquarters regarding staff safety, infrastructure conditions, and any localized environmental impacts.
Cuna concluded with a call for community alertness, warning residents to stay away from hazardous zones like mountain slopes, river systems, and coastlines.
“Ang sama samang pag-iingat ang pinakamabisang depensa sa kalamidad. Makinig sa mga abiso, maghanda, at kumilos nang maagap,” he concluded.