LOCAL DRILLS. OCD Western Visayas Director Jose Roberto Nuñez on Monday, June 24, recommends the local disaster risk reduction and management office (LDRRMO) to initiate local earthquake drills and not just wait for the national government to take the lead. Nuñez cites the drill in Kalibo, Aklan which was held Friday simultaneously with national earthquake drill, describing it “very overwhelming” due to the presence of local officials. (PNA photo by Perla G. Lena)
ILOILO CITY -- Instead of relying on the national government to take the lead in the conduct of earthquake drills, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in Western Visayas is pushing that local disaster risk reduction and management offices (LDRRMMOs) will be the ones to initiate to ensure continuity.
OCD Western Visayas Director Jose Roberto Nuñez said he will be coming out with a memorandum to direct LDRRMOs to facilitate the local drills.
“We will just tie up with them and send evaluators,” he said in an interview on Monday.
He said the drill will be done by province where the municipality and establishments to be covered will be identified.
Nuñez noted he wanted this to be implemented once in a while, or even once a month.
“As much as possible, we start with family. The number one that we should rescue is our family and we go out to help our community,” he said.
Nuñez further said he already bared the plan during the conduct of the National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) where the town of Kalibo in Aklan was chosen as pilot site for Western Visayas last Friday.
He cited the drill in Kalibo was “very overwhelming” due to the presence of the local officials, which was indicative of being supportive to the activity.
Nuñez echoed several areas that should be improved, such as provision of water, as cited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“It’s a very minimal observation but totally they did a good performance,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nuñez also invited the public to join the OCD in the celebration of the National Disaster Resilience Month in July.
The month-long celebration will kick off with a motorcade along the city’s major thoroughfare that will be followed by a short program on Monday, July 1, at the city hall.
On July 7, there will be a Bike-for–Resilience in Guimaras while on July 13, there will be an exhibit of capability equipment.
A forum that will gather local chief executives, planning officers, and other concerned offices will also be held to give them venue to raise their concerns about the local disaster risk reduction and management plan. (PNA)
