Dulag’s Resilience: Communities Standing Strong Through Typhoon Tino

DULAG, LEYTE — As Typhoon Tino approached, a sense of unease rippled through Dulag. Forecasts from PAG-ASA placed the town squarely in the storm’s critical path, and residents braced for impact. Yet amid the uncertainty, a quiet determination was building—one rooted in preparedness, community, and resilience.

On November 2, 2025, Mayor Jade Agullo called an emergency meeting with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (MDRRM) team. The discussion was urgent, but the message was clear: human life comes first—even for those who risk their own to save others. This guiding principle shaped Dulag’s unique blueprint for disaster management.

Residents heeded the mayor’s warnings. Families in fragile homes and low-lying areas evacuated to designated safe zones, while neighbors helped each other gather essentials and secure property. Volunteers checked on elderly residents and coordinated shelter arrangements, demonstrating the town’s deep sense of collective responsibility. Even as the winds began to rise, Dulag’s people stayed calm, relying on preparation and each other to weather the storm.

During the height of Typhoon Tino, rescue operations were intentionally paused, a strategic decision to protect the lives of first responders. While the storm raged outside, inside the evacuation centers, the community’s resilience was on full display: parents comforted frightened children, neighbors shared resources, and small acts of kindness—offering blankets, food, or simply an encouraging word—created a sense of unity that no storm could break.

Once Tino passed, the town shifted swiftly from survival to recovery. Fallen trees blocked key roads, threatening to paralyze travel and disrupt essential services. Within hours, teams—led by Mayor Agullo herself—mobilized to clear debris, prioritizing areas critical for transportation. Youth volunteers, local workers, and municipal personnel worked side by side, their shared effort a testament to the town’s enduring spirit.

Through it all, Dulag demonstrated that resilience is more than enduring a storm—it is the ability to act, care for others, and rebuild quickly when adversity passes. The town’s experience shows that with foresight, strategic planning, and the unwavering determination of its people, communities can face even the fiercest storms and emerge stronger.

Dulag’s handling of Typhoon Tino is now a model for disaster response: a careful balance of proactive safety measures, protection for emergency workers, and immediate community-driven recovery efforts.

Above all, it is a story of human strength and solidarity, proving that resilience thrives not in isolation but in the collective courage of a community standing together.

Photo: The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) together with the Response Cluster Heads conducted an emergency meeting and Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) to discuss the preparations for incoming typhoon to ensure the safety of all Dulagnons. (MDRRMO Dulag)