Bacolod gets P20M disaster equipment from OCD
BACOLOD CITY — Bacolod City is a recipient of P20 million hi-tech equipment like water filtration facility, generator, thermal camera and snake camera from the Office of Civil Defense(OCD).
Deputy Presidential spokesman and OCD Deputy Administrator Anthony Golez announced yesterday that the said facilities are now scheduled for an official turn-over.
“We are confident that it will make our disaster preparedness better,” he said.
Some provinces in Region VI, VII, VIII and XI are also recipient of the million equipment.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said that Bacolod City is very fortunate to avail this kind of facilities as the disaster program of Bacolod has been nominated in the national contest. The city is the sole recepient of P20 million facility outside Metro Manila.
“We were informed that we had qualified among the top three in the country. The two others are Makati and Olongapo. So to belong to this league is an honor by itself,” he added.
These were the same contenders when Bacolod was in the contest for the Most Child Friendly City, Peace and Order Council, the Most Disabled Friendly City and Most Business Friendly City.
“At least it shows consistency as regards our competitors but at the same time it also shows consistency as regards our city government,” the Mayor said.
Executive Assistant Joemarie Vargas said as of now Bacolod is already a winner but the rating will be announced by next week and the mayor will be receiving the award in Malacañang. The selection committee has recommended five cities – Bacolod, Makati, Olongapo, Cebu and Legaspi.
“Perhaps they saw that our record deals more on the support of the executive especially on flood control program. Maybe other aspects we have to consider is that Makati has a budget of over P10 billion and its flood control program is being handled by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, while Bacolod has none – it’s a local government initiative,” Vargas said.