QUEZON CITY, Nov. 30 (PIA) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) recommended streamlining protocols on the release of water from dams during typhoons in close coordination and consultation with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) .

In a recent Dagyaw Virtual Townhall Meeting, DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya shared the government's assessment report on the three consecutive typhoons that hit the country.

"We have to streamline our protocols sa pagpapalabas ng tubig sa ating mga dam, dahil isa sa mga naging dahilan di-umano kung bakit tumaas ang tubig sa Cagayan River precisely because of the inundation of several typhoons at iyong daw pagpapalabas ng tubig ng Magat Dam (We have to streamline our protocols for the release of water from our dams because this was allegedly the reason for the increased water level in Cagayan River after being hit by several typhoons and water release from Magat Dam)," Malaya said.

Although there is an existing water release system, there has to be rapid and efficient coordination, communication, and information dissemination to mitigate the impact of the disaster, he said.

As part of the long-term solution, Malaya said Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano ordered the crackdown of all illegal logging in upland provinces of the country to protect the forests, especially the unproductive, deluded, and degraded hectares of forest land.

The DILG directed all local government units (LGUs) to support the National Greening program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), where coordination is ongoing for immediate support.

Meanwhile, Malaya also reported that in terms of the work done by the NDRRM Operations Center, a red alert status was maintained since the COVID-19 response operation. There is continuous and regular monitoring and dissemination of weather and flood advisories to the concerned LGUS and regional disaster risk management centers through the website and official social media accounts, as well as the preparation of the 56-emergency alert and warning messages for telecommunication companies.

Recognizing the hardwork of rescuers, DILG commended the 3,521 combined rescue operations conducted by LGUs, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Bureau of Fire and Protection with a total of 191,000 persons rescued. (MBP/PIA-IDPD)