Roxas City reorganizes disaster council
Roxas City -- The Roxas City Disaster Coordination Council (RCDCC) has been reorganized by the city government to implement its disaster preparedness plan in time of disaster and calamity occurrences.
The city government's proactive measure against disaster is directed by Mayor Vicente Bermejo's Executive Order No. 4 issued last month.
"In the face of all the natural disasters and calamities that have occurred in our country this year, we have reconstituted the RCDCC," said Bermejo in a letter to various statutory members of the council.
The executive order stressed that the city has always been subjected to series of natural disasters and calamities every year which threaten the safety of its people and their properties. It also recognizes the city government's statutory functions and responsibilities to minimize, if not prevent, the loss of lives and destruction of crops and properties during disaster and to alleviate the sufferings of the people in the affected areas.
The reorganization of RCDCC coincides with the thrust of national government to minimize damages to lives and properties caused by natural and man-made calamities.
Recently, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the recognition of the country's outstanding disaster coordinating councils, individuals and other major stakeholders for their valuable contribution in the effective implementation of the government's risk management programs and projects.
The President assisted by newly-installed Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Executive Officer Glen Rabonza handed out the KALASAG (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan) plaques of recognition to the winners who showed heroism and exemplary achievements in simple rites held at Malacanang's Rizal Hall.
The awardees for the Best Local Disaster Coordinating Councils were the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) of La Union; PDCC of South Cotabato; City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) of Olongapo City; CDCC of Bago City (component city); Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council of Labo, Camarines Norte (1st & 2nd class municipality); MDCC of Maragusan, Compostella Valley (1st &2nd class municipality); MDCC of Pontevedra, Negros Occidental (5th &6th class municipality); MDCC of Sibunag, Guimaras (5th & 6th class municipality), and the Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council of Carmen, Cagayan de Oro.
The Leyte Center for Development Inc. of Palo, Leyte was recognized for its humanitarian assistance during the landslide in Guinsaugon, Southern Leyte.
Iligan City's Rescue 811, the Olongapo Rescue Team and the Baguio City Emergency Medical Service were also given recognition as Government Emergency Responders.
Romeo Lanuza was the winner in the individual category for his heroic deed in rescuing Gretchen Gorospe, a young girl, from drowning.
(PIA/A.Lumaque)