By: Angelica Arquero

With the onset of the rainy season, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is urging local government units (LGUs) to gear up for possible weather-related disasters, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive.

Last year’s Typhoon Carina caused the riprap supporting the Gabriela Silang Barangay Hall to collapse, even puncturing parts of the building’s floor.

Now, the structure has been reinforced and repurposed.

“It’s being used as a tanod outpost now,” said Barangay Captain Orlando Basongit. “Even after the collapse, we continued using the building.”

While they now have a new barangay hall, residents and officials remain proactive in preparing for heavy rains.

“We remind our constituents to check and clean drainage systems. We also remove obstructions that can cause flooding,” Basongit added.

From June 1 to 7, Baguio received 74.8 millimeters of rain, according to Mar Josef Santos, weather observer at PAGASA Baguio Synoptic Station.

“Historically, rainfall during the monsoon season averages between 20 to 50 millimeters. But when the habagat is strong, it can reach 100 to even 1,000 millimeters,” he said.

Baguio City’s disaster response office is also working closely with barangay officials.

“We just concluded our planning. Preparedness starts at the barangay level,” said Glenn Lardizabal, deputy officer of Baguio City’s CDRRMO.

He added, “We have teams on 24-hour duty to monitor and respond quickly to any incidents.”

The agency assures the public that its offices are ready and accessible for any emergency throughout the rainy season.