RDCC to implement 4-point action plan on disaster preparedness
The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) will implement a four-point action plan on disaster preparedness in the region. These four focus on the upgrading of PAG-ASA and PHILVOCs Forecasting Capability, public information campaign on Disaster Preparedness, capability building for local government units in identified vulnerable areas and mechanisms for government private sector partnership in relief and rehabilitation.
Among the local initiatives for upgrading PAG-ASA capability, RDC 6 in coordination with PAG-ASA DOST and PDCC will support the establishment of the Early Warning system for agriculture and Disaster Management in the municipalities of Sibalom and San Remigio in Antique to mitigate flood and resultant effects in these areas.
The MDCC in Dumangas has likewise established and maintained an Agro-meteorological station in coordination with PAG-ASA, the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center and the International Rice Research Institute for climate prediction. Through this station the people of Dumangas and its neighboring municipalities can now be informed of local weather and be able to prepare for disasters and calamities especially in agriculture, health, peace and order and others.
For its public information campaign, among others the RDCC launched the SAFE KA BA? Communications campaign of the NDCC that aims to promote and sustain a coherent and coordinated effort in disaster management by creating awareness, preparedness and response.
The RDCC also conducted for the LGUs region wide training of facilitators on contingency planning, Hospital Preparedness for emergencies (HOPE) Course, a 10-day Medical Responders Course, Strategic Planning workshop Emergency Management Trainings.
The RDCC was also able to develop, produce and distribute three Operating Manuals that provide mechanisms for government and private sector partnership as well as comprehensive guide in the relief, rehabilitation, communication and early warning and search and rescue operations in Western Visayas.
In line with the celebration of the National Disaster Consciousness Month, the RDCC has likewise lined-up a series of activities for July, among which are orientation seminars, drills and awards giving to deserving persons/entities.
(PIA6)