Manila: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is urging local government units (LGUs) to act on disaster information before hazards turn into emergencies, stressing that timely data is only useful when it leads to concrete action on the ground.

According to Philippines News Agency, DILG Central Office Disaster Information Coordinating Center (CODIX) Program Manager Robin Lim said the agency is working to ensure that information gathered from disaster monitoring and coordination is translated into anticipatory measures by local governments. Lim emphasized the importance of transforming information into actionable steps, highlighting the role of local governments in preparing for potential disasters.

Lim cited Operation L!STO, the DILG's flagship disaster preparedness program, as a key mechanism in helping LGUs determine what actions should be taken before, during, and after disasters. Established in 2014, Operation L!STO provides LGUs and communities with practical, step-by-step guidance on risk assessment, early warning, preemptive evacuation, coordination, emergency response, and other disaster risk reduction measures.

The program, initially developed with a focus on typhoons, has since expanded to cover various hazards as communities face increasingly complex disaster risks. Lim noted that Operation L!STO promotes a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach by aligning disaster preparedness efforts of agencies such as the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police with local government actions.

Beyond providing guidelines, the DILG serves as a link between national government agencies and LGUs to help translate national disaster policies and initiatives into coordinated local action. Lim said the program has continued to evolve to guide local chief executives and communities on the minimum preparedness measures they need to undertake ahead of disasters.

The DILG emphasized that the goal is to close the gap between receiving warnings and taking action, allowing local governments to anticipate threats, prepare communities, and carry out protective measures before disasters strike.