Aklan's PDCC cited most outstanding in Western Visayas
KALIBO, AKLAN -- Aklan's Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) was acknowledged as the most outstanding in Western Visayas.
This much-welcomed news was shared by Ret. Police Maj. Paquito Saratiosa, PDCC-Aklan Executive Officer with Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, PDCC Chairperson, and other officers and members of the council and members of the local media at the press conference held recently at the Provincial Guest House.
Ret. Maj. Saratiosa said the good news was announced during the recent Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) which he attended in Iloilo City.
Saratiosa also said that the RDCC also awarded 9 disaster heroes/groups from Aklan who risked their lives and limbs in saving and rescuing Aklanons when floodwaters in Aklan reached record levels, catching residents totally unprepared and in immediate danger.
Saratiosa said these groups were the 47th Infantry Battalion, the New Washington Fire Station, First Ready Reserve Battalion, the Kabalikat Civicom, Responsible Citizens Action Group, ROTC Volunteers for Emergency Response, Adventist Group, 601st Community Defense Center, World Vision, and the Philippine National Police.
PDCC-Aklan gathered many firsts, according to Saratiosa. It was the first to activate its Disaster Operation Center at 4:00 a.m. of June 1; first to activate OPLAN Ugnayan, first to submit disaster assessment report, and the first to activate the incident command system in C. Laserna St.
Aklan was also the first province to conduct a community-based Disaster Risk Management Training in the municipality of Batan after Typhoon Frank hit Aklan June 21.
The training, according to Saratiosa, was spearheaded by MDCC-Batan, with funds shelled out by the local government unit, headed by Mayor Delfina Ramos. (PIA)