THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2016
OCD 10 leads disaster consciousness month celeb
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Region 10, chaired by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director Ana C. Cañeda, and Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan (XU) Academic Vice President Rev. Fr. Rene C. Tacastacas, SJ led the ribbon cutting and opening for the month-long observance of National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM), July 1.
The celebration commenced with a brief ceremony at Magis Walkway of XU, Cagayan de Oro. This year’s NDCM observance is anchored on the theme “Kahandaan at Pagtugon sa Sakuna, Tungkulin ng Bawat Isa (Readiness and response to crisis: Everybody’s Duty).” In the press conference, the media zeroed in on additional programs the agencies planned to undertake in light of the new administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, with the panel of discussants from the OCD, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and XU Engineering Resource Center (ERC). The kick-off was highlighted by the static display of response assets and equipment, exhibits on the four DRRM thematic areas and bloodletting, with personnel of partner agencies—Cagayan de Oro CDRRMC, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), DOST, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Health (DOH), DILG, NEDA, 4th Infantry Division (4ID) Philippine Army, XU, Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Red Cross (PRC), 52nd Engineering Brigade, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), ACRC (Radio Group), National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) and weather bureau PAGASA. Meanwhile, the IEC campaign and media blitz maximized the community awareness-raising especially among the students that came from various schools and colleges in the city appreciating the programs, projects and activities on disaster risk reduction (DRR) by the council members, local DRRMCs and partner institutions in northern Mindanao. National Disaster Consciousness Month is held every month of July to increase awareness of every Filipino to the threats of disaster and for a better appreciation of the government’s disaster preparedness program, pursuant to the Executive Order No. 137, s. 1999. Cañeda says the significance of this NDCM being the first official working day of the newly-installed government officials and heads of agencies in the new administration, and taking from the marching order of President Duterte at the first cabinet meeting the previous day that emphasized the importance of operational readiness in the prepositioning of assets for immediate response to emergencies especially in the expected water-induced incidents during this La Niña period. Further, she rallied all-ofnation and whole-of-society efforts at empowering communities at the household level in crucial decision making and cooperation with local officials in protecting their families, towards developing the culture of
safety among each of us to the collective goal of zero casualty in any incidents. Cañeda reiterates her call on
member agencies and stakeholders for cooperation and support to government DRRM programs. (Titus M. Velez/OCD10)
ICRC extends aid to 12,500 displaced persons in Butig, Lanao Sur
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) together with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), extended food and household items to around 12,500 people from Butig town, Lanao del Sur, who remain displaced following clashes between government forces and an armed group in late May to early June. The distributions took place between June 8 and July 2, in Butig and neighboring municipalities as well as in Marawi City. “Thousands of civilians in Butig were forced to flee their homes in February, when the first clashes began. Some were able to return in April, and just when they started planting a new crop, they were forced to flee their homes again in May, when hostilities resumed,” said Dominic Earnshaw, head of the ICRC office in Cotabato. He said many of the displaced are living with relatives and depend heavily on their kin and the authorities, as they are still too afraid to go back home. Their houses were also destroyed in the fighting. The ICRC-PRC assistance augmented the aid provided by the
government and helped families meet their basic needs. Each displaced family received 25 kilograms of rice, 12 tins of sardines, two liters of cooking oil, two liters of soy sauce, two kilograms of sugar, 500 grams of salt, and essential household items including two blankets, two mosquito nets, one sleeping mat, and one hygiene kit. Prior to its relief operation in Butig, the ICRC conducted its own assessments and coordinated closely with community leaders, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and nongovernment organizations. “We ask all sides in the conflict to exercise utmost precaution to protect civilians and their property,” Earnshaw said.
The ICRC is a neutral, impartial, and independent humanitarian organization whose mandate is to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict and other situations of
violence. It has had an established presence in the Philippines for more than 70 years and a permanent presence in Mindanao since 1982. (ICRC/APB/PIA-10)
La Niña preparations underway for NorMin CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Department of Interior and Local Government in northern Mindanao has convened member agencies of the Disaster Preparedness Committee to carry out measures on the impending threat of La Niña in the coming months. The latest advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reports the El Niño as weakening and “in its decaying stage,” and the development of La Niña within the second half of 2016 (August 2016 to February 2017). = DILG Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe says we don’t want to be caught off guard hence we need to take the necessary precautions to mitigate the impacts of rain-related disasters on the security of people and communities. Agabe also reminds the local government units (LGUs) to implement early preparedness action in the ‘Operation Listo’ manual for hydrometeorological hazards. Due to the numerous typhoons experienced by the Philippines every
year, Oplan Listo was launched by DILG, led by then Secretary Mar Roxas, recalled Hazel L. Occeña, DILG 10 local government capability development division (LGCDD) chief, during an episode of “Lambo Dyes” radio program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) aired over DXIM Radyo Ng Bayan. Oplan Listo or Operation Listo is a disaster preparedness guide for the LGUs, who are the first ones to respond in their places during disasters. “During the time nga wala pa’y bagyo gasulod sa ilang lugar, naa na kami’y gihatag sa ila nga checklist kung unsa’y angay ipangandam para ma accomplish nila kung unsa gyud ang mga actions kung naa na’y muabotay nga bagyo,” she said. (Before typhoons are experienced in their places, we already give them checklist on what needs to be prepared
for them to accomplish the actions they need to do for the upcoming typhoon) The DILG has also partnered with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on the “Gabay at Mapa” where they teach people what to do when disasters happen. This includes the E-balde which contains ready-to-eat food, three gallons of water, medicine, first aid kit, hygiene kit, clothes, flashlight and radio. Preparations have been made
for the anticipated La Niña in the country. Meetings with the Regional Risk Reduction Management Councils (RDRRMCs) are done to know the effects of La Niña and perform the La Niña Action Plan. All these projects initiated by the DILG, as the vice-chair for preparedness, together with the different agencies do not only aim to ensure the safety of everyone during disasters, but educate the people as well on the disaster preparations, said Occeña. (Hazel Mae Pacturan/PIA)