DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. The city government of San Fernando, led by Mayor Edwin Santiago (third from right), Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin (second from right) and members of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, discuss the month-long disaster preparedness activities in a press conference held at the city's Heroes Hall Amphitheatre on Thursday (July 4, 2019). The acivities are in line with the celebration of the National Disaster Resilience Month 2019. (Photo courtesy of the City Government of San Fernando)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—The city government here has lined up various activities on disaster preparedness and mitigation as part of its continuing campaign towards building disaster-resilient communities.
The move is also in line with the celebration of the National Disaster Resilience Month 2019 with the theme, “Kahandaan sa Sakuna’t Peligro para sa Tunay na Pagbabago”.
“We have to instill to the community, particularly the youth, disaster preparedness. Lagi ko ngang sinasabi na walang pinipiling edad o anuman ang mga kalamidad, kaya napakahalaga na tayong lahat ay handa sakaling tamaan tayo (I have been saying that calamities choose no age limit nor any matter, thus it is very important that we are ready in case we are hit),” said Mayor Edwin Santiago during a media conference held on Thursday at the Heroes Hall Amphitheatre here.
Santiago, who is also the chairperson of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Council, said the local government has various plans and programs to prevent massive floods in the city and to strengthen its information and education campaign on disaster vigilance.
“Through our CDRRM (City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management), there are programs that were laid down in order to intensify our disaster preparedness campaign. The key is proper planning. There is a need to analyze what and where the council should focus in order to maintain the security and safety of the city,” he said.
The mayor also urged the public to cooperate with and support the local government’s actions towards a disaster-resilient community.
“We are doing our part to involve everyone in our programs, but we also need the cooperation of the citizens,” he said.
Meanwhile, CDRRM officer Raymond Del Rosario discussed the month-long activities which focus on the involvement of the public in order to achieve disaster awareness.
The celebration will kick-off on July 5, through an NDRRM motorcade which will start at SM Telabastagan, followed by a thanksgiving mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Damayan Homeowners Association in the city will undergo a basic disaster preparedness seminar on July 8.
Back-to-back activities are slated on July 11 as the city will launch its first-ever DRRM Big Book which consists of disaster preparedness tips for students, to be followed by a resiliency forum for communities.
On July 12, city government employees will attend a resiliency forum.
An emergency response capability static display and disaster preparedness orientation will also be held on July 15-17 at the Robinson’s Starmills Pampanga.
Meanwhile, members of the LDRRM Council will have a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) training on July 16-19.
An earthquake drill and flood evacuation seminar will be conducted on July 18, while the Sining Kahandaan Year 6 will take place on July 19.
On July 21, the annual "SAFRUN" or disaster preparedness run will be held.
The city will also receive an award from the Office of Civil Defense and RDRRMC during the Regional Gawad Kalasag on July 26.
Meanwhile, an earthquake and fire drill will take place on July 30.
The participants of this year’s Joint Fire and Rescue Olympics, on the other hand, will convene in a disaster preparedness assembly on July 29-31.
The month-long celebration will culminate on August 2, as the city holds a Rescue Olympics for schools. (PNA)
