IT pays to be alert; this seems to be the vital significance of observing the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM).
Executive Order No. 137, dated August 10, 1999, declares July as NDCM to institutionalize the civil defense deputization program.
NDCM activities aim to increase the awareness to the threats of disaster and for a better appreciation of the government’s disaster preparedness program.
Regional Director Adriano Fuego of the Office of the Civil Disaster (OCD) said the NDCM observance in Pagadian City, with this year's theme: “Pag Alerto, Malayo sa Peligro,” is telling everybody to have common sense and be ready to act anytime.
“Common sense saves you from emergencies,” Fuego stressed.
On the activities lined up by OCD, he cited the need for LGUs, schools and the local disaster coordinating councils “to rehearse earthquake and fire drills, including evacuation procedures.”
In a meeting with press members, Fuego was accompanied by the representatives of the BFP, PNRC, DOH and DSWD, who each explained the impact of imparting consciousness and readiness in times of emergencies.
The panel mentioned that in Pagadian City and around Zambosur, for example, residents should be wary on tsunami recurrence, fire incidents, landslides and flashfloods.
The BFP noted that even in inner-city villages considered as fire hazard areas, like Sta. Lucia, Santiago and Santiago, houses made of light materials are built so close to each other.
The BFP then added that they are addressing the problem by conducting periodic inspections and lectures to the people in the mentioned barangays.
As for the PNRC, it said that they are on alert for terrorist acts like bombings and the deficiency of blood supply.
For the DOH, it said that they are coming up with a contingency plan related to the possible occurrence of Influenza A(H1N1) in the province.
Fuego said they are doing information and education advocacies and campaigns the whole month as they anticipate zero casualties when disaster comes.
To recall, on August 16, 1976, a devastating earthquake on the Cotabato Trench caused a tsunami to rise, killing some 8,000 people in coastal communities in Zamboanga Peninsula, Pagadian, Lanao, North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat.
At present, Pagadian, along with the cities of Basilan, Dipolog and Malaybalay have been classified by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) as Intensity 6 zones in the Modified Mercalli Scale Intensities for Mindanao.
Based on the survey by PAGASA then, it was determined that the maximum height of the tsunami waves in the entire Moro Gulf during the August 1976 disaster was 4.5 meters.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA
Executive Order No. 137, dated August 10, 1999, declares July as NDCM to institutionalize the civil defense deputization program.
NDCM activities aim to increase the awareness to the threats of disaster and for a better appreciation of the government’s disaster preparedness program.
Regional Director Adriano Fuego of the Office of the Civil Disaster (OCD) said the NDCM observance in Pagadian City, with this year's theme: “Pag Alerto, Malayo sa Peligro,” is telling everybody to have common sense and be ready to act anytime.
“Common sense saves you from emergencies,” Fuego stressed.
On the activities lined up by OCD, he cited the need for LGUs, schools and the local disaster coordinating councils “to rehearse earthquake and fire drills, including evacuation procedures.”
In a meeting with press members, Fuego was accompanied by the representatives of the BFP, PNRC, DOH and DSWD, who each explained the impact of imparting consciousness and readiness in times of emergencies.
The panel mentioned that in Pagadian City and around Zambosur, for example, residents should be wary on tsunami recurrence, fire incidents, landslides and flashfloods.
The BFP noted that even in inner-city villages considered as fire hazard areas, like Sta. Lucia, Santiago and Santiago, houses made of light materials are built so close to each other.
The BFP then added that they are addressing the problem by conducting periodic inspections and lectures to the people in the mentioned barangays.
As for the PNRC, it said that they are on alert for terrorist acts like bombings and the deficiency of blood supply.
For the DOH, it said that they are coming up with a contingency plan related to the possible occurrence of Influenza A(H1N1) in the province.
Fuego said they are doing information and education advocacies and campaigns the whole month as they anticipate zero casualties when disaster comes.
To recall, on August 16, 1976, a devastating earthquake on the Cotabato Trench caused a tsunami to rise, killing some 8,000 people in coastal communities in Zamboanga Peninsula, Pagadian, Lanao, North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat.
At present, Pagadian, along with the cities of Basilan, Dipolog and Malaybalay have been classified by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) as Intensity 6 zones in the Modified Mercalli Scale Intensities for Mindanao.
Based on the survey by PAGASA then, it was determined that the maximum height of the tsunami waves in the entire Moro Gulf during the August 1976 disaster was 4.5 meters.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA