Parañaque City 2nd District Representative Brian Yamsuan is urging the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to institutionalize a standard rule banning foreign travel for elected and appointed government officials whenever a strong typhoon is approaching the country.

Yamsuan said such a directive should be automatic, noting that weather forecasts from PAGASA provide sufficient warning before a storm makes landfall.

He emphasized that officials’ physical presence in their areas is crucial to ensure a quick and effective response and that government officials should prioritize the safety and welfare of their constituents over personal trips abroad.

His proposal comes amid reports that some local executives were abroad during the recent onslaught of Typhoon Tino, which affected parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has launched an investigation into several Cebu mayors and representatives who traveled to Europe while the typhoon struck.

On Monday, November 10, the DILG reportedly sent a formal request for documents related to their trips. The investigation is ongoing to determine whether the travels were officially sanctioned and aligned with disaster response protocols.