DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said 10 local government officials who were “missing in action” during the onslaught of Typhoon Rolly (Goni) in their areas of jurisdiction will be asked to explain.
Año said they issued reminders as early as Wednesday, October 28, 2020, urging local government officials to brace for Typhoon Rolly and ensure that they will be in their respective areas of jurisdiction during its onslaught.
In a televised press briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte Monday evening, November 2, 2020, Año said they have identified the 10 absentee mayors.
He said a total of 1,047 local chief executives should have been in their areas of responsibility when Typhoon Rolly swept across Bicol and southern Luzon on November 1.
Under the agency’s Operation: Listo (awareness), Año said those who would be found absent in their areas would be penalized.
Operation: Listo contains preparedness action plans in dealing with the impact of weather disturbances in the country. It aims for zero casualties and ensure immediate government response.
The DILG had filed administrative charges against five mayors in northern Luzon mayors who were absent in their areas of responsibility during the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong in September 2018. (SunStar Philippines)