DILG: Local execs’ travel authority, leave of absence automatically revoked during disasters

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued a memorandum denying all local officials from travelling and taking a leave of absence during typhoons and other disasters.

According to DILG spokesperson Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya, the memorandum aims “to ensure that local chief executives are where they are expected to be in times of disaster or calamities.”

Recently, the DILG filed cases before the Ombudsman against five northern Luzon mayors who were “missing in action” during the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong in September 2018.

These five local officials were identified as Mayor Eduarte of Tayum, Abra; Mayor Luspian of Mankayan, Benguet; Mayor Chiyawan of Natonin, Mt. Province; Mayor Limmayog of Sadanga, Mt. Province; and Mayor Ruma of Rizal, Cagayan.

Six other officials were issued a written warning after the DILG conducted an investigation into their behavior — Mayor Seares of Dolores, Abra; Mayor Salazar of Lasam, Cagayan; Mayor Turingan of Enrile, Cagayan; Mayor Villacete of Piat, Cagayan; Mayor Carag of Solana, Cagayan; and Mayor Mamba of Tuao, Cagayan.

“As chairpersons of their respective local disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) committees, they must personally oversee their local disaster management preparations and operations,” Malaya said.

Through the same memorandum, the city or municipal mayor can also recall the authority to travel or leave of absence of the following in case of disasters or calamities:

• City vice mayor and municipal vice mayor;
• Sangguniang panlungsod and bayan members whose chairmanship is peace and order and crisis management, DRRM, social welfare and development, and women, youth, children and IP;
• Appropriate department heads such as local disaster risk reduction management officer, among others.

— Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News