(Eagle News) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government has issued a memorandum revoking all approved travel authorities or leaves of absence of local officials if disasters strike.
The Jan. 2 order signed by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año came following criticisms hurled against some mayors for their absence in their areas of jurisdiction during the onslaught of “Ompong” in the country in September last year.
Only recently, the DILG filed cases before the Ombudsman against Mayor Eduarte of Tayum, Abra; Mayor Chiyawan of Natonin, Mt. Province; Mayor Materno Luspian of Mankayan, Benguet; Mayor Jose Limmayog Jr. of Sadanga, Mt. Province; and Mayor Brenda Ruma of Rizal, Cagayan after the explanations for their absence were found to have been insufficient.
Mayor Roberto Victor Seares of Dolores, Abra; Mayor Marjorie Salazar of Lasam, Cagayan; Mayor Kim Turingan of Enrile, Cagayan; Mayor Black Villacete of Piat, Cagayan; Mayor Jenalyn Carag of Solana, Cagayan; and Mayor Francisco Mamba of Tuao, Cagayan were also given a written warning.
“As chairpersons of their respective local disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) committees, they must personally oversee their local disaster management preparations and operation,” DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said.
According to the memorandum, the mayor may also revoke the leaves of absence or authority to travel of specific local officials if disasters hit their respective areas of jurisdiction.
These include the city vice mayor and municipal vice mayor, the Sangguniang panlungsod and bayan members whose chairmanship is peace and order and crisis management, disaster risk reduction management, social welfare and development, and women, youth, children and IP; and department heads of, for instance, the local disaster risk reduction management office, among others.
