MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has prohibited local officials in affected areas from traveling abroad to ensure efficient disaster response following the impact of Typhoons Tino and Uwan.

DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla said in a television interview on Monday that he ordered all elective and appointive local officials to cancel or suspend their foreign trips from November 9 to 15 to guarantee their presence during pre-disaster preparations, response, and recovery operations for Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong).

“Those who are applying or about to leave, their travel leaves are cancelled,” he said.

Remulla added that he previously canceled the foreign travel of about 40 local officials amid the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino, which prompted President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to declare a national state of calamity.

“There are some 40 travel leaves that I cancelled, so no one was able to depart for the last six days, seven days I think,” he said.

The DILG chief emphasized that governors, mayors, barangay captains, and other local officials must be on the ground to lead response efforts in line with the President’s directive and the ongoing state of calamity.

“We issued a sweeping memorandum that all travel leaves are cancelled,” he said. “Hindi puwedeng makaalis ang mga tao ngayon (People can’t leave now), especially the local officials.”

Remulla reminded local leaders that they serve as chairpersons of their respective Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) and are required to be physically present during all phases of disaster management — preparation, response, and recovery.

He also instructed local government units (LGUs) to assist affected communities, reactivate Local Price Coordinating Councils to prevent overpricing, and coordinate closely with regional and provincial DRRMCs and DILG offices for unified response.

All DILG regional directors have been directed to ensure compliance with these directives. (PNA)