Typhoon tops list of disasters needing preparation
The five municipalities in the island-province of Guimaras has identified typhoon as the top most disaster the provincial government has to deal with. Flood is the next form of disaster that needs to be addressed.
In last week's disaster management training, the municipalities of Jordan, Buenavista, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo and Sibunag named the top ten disasters each town must give emphasis. The training was attended by representatives from the municipal government, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and other concerned agencies.
Aside from typhoon, and flood, the municipal disaster council of each town also recognized storm surge and landslides; fire; erosion/mining; oil spill; earthquake; vehicular accident and drought that needs to be included in their disaster preparedness plan
According to Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Director Rose Cabrera, each town must update their respective disaster preparedness given the complexities of the disaster. They have come up with list of risk factors and same time provides counter measures. The capabilities of each town must also be given emphasis during the disasters.
The disaster preparedness training is important as it is not only to identify the risk factors in each town or province but at the same time draft their disaster preparedness plan. The capabilities of each town during disasters must also be given emphasis, said Cabrera.
With the identification of the top 10 disasters, the municipal and the provincial disaster coordinating council came up with a solution by strengthening the communication and warning system.
The immediate issuance of warning enables the community to prepare in the event that any disaster will hit the town. They also figure out to strengthen their disaster center especially at the provincial level, said Cabrera.