City conducts disaster equipment inventory
The Iloilo city government is now conducting an inventory of available equipment at the City Disaster Management Office as part of its disaster response preparations.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said he wanted to find out what additional equipment are needed as he would like to ensure that existing facilities are properly accounted for and positioned strategically to respond, a Philippine News Agency report said.
Initially, they are a looking to install a structure at the triangular island situated near the Salog River Bridge in Bgy. Tabuc Suba, Jaro that will accommodate all disaster facilities.
The mayor recalled personnel had a hard time then transporting facilities to Tabuc Suba during Typhoon Frank.
“With the place, we could immediately do rescue operations because it is closer to the Jaro district,” he said.
Jaro district is always the first area to be hit by flooding once the water level increases at the Aganan and Tigum Rivers in Pavia.
Meanwhile the Regional Maritime Office 6 is a recipient of one rubber boat to be detailed at its 601st Maritime Police Station, the PNA reported.
The new rubber boat also known as the Police Rubber Boat is one of the five water crafts allotted for RMO 6 under the Philippine National Police’s Internal Security Operations and Disaster Relief Capability Enhancement Program.
RMO 6 regional chief, Supt. Edmund Gonzales, said Iloilo City is the first recipient of a rubber boat among cities in the entire Visayas and Mindanao.
“The remaining rubber boats hopefully will arrive soon. The documents are already being processed,” Gonzales said.
Mabilog, the guest of honor during Thursday’s blessing ceremony, said the water craft is a blessing as he recalled the time when Typhoon Frank hit the city and other parts of Panay and they could not even find even a single rope to use in the rescue operation.
“This is a blessing. We do not know yet how many lives this watercraft will save in the long run,” he said. “The regional maritime group will preserve the integrity of this boat while in their keeping so will remain in shape for future relief and rescue operations.”
He also committed to follow up the release of the remaining water crafts with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III during their meeting on Monday.
He assured the RMO 6 that if needed, his office will extend fund support and gasoline assistance for the water craft.
RMO 6 deputy regional chief, Supt. Jairus Gelvezon, said the new water craft while serving as partner during rescue operation efforts will also be their support as they “continue to perform the mandate of providing security and ensuring peace and order along ports and piers and coastal areas” of Western Visayas.
