GIVEN the onslaughts of tropical storms Ondoy and Pepeng that has brought our country to its knees, a senior councilman sees the perspective of calling fellow officials to be prepared and standing by, just in case a similar calamity strikes again.
“The misfortune that was experienced in Metro Manila with Ondoy and Pepeng might also happen here in Pagadian City that is why we must anticipate our actions and be well-equipped,” first councilor Romeo Tan said of his vision.
Tan added that as of the moment, there is a pressing need to convene the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) as soon as possible in order to take the necessary measures, planning and arrangements.
Saying the City Government will be able to respond better during the times of crisis and take the opportunity to help residents and others when it is completely prepared, he passed Resolution No. 2009-1016 requesting Mayor Samuel Co to convene the CDCC executive committee.
The councilor’s resolution likewise included the collaboration of the City Council’s Committee on Human Rights and Urban/Rural Poor and the Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council of this city’s coastal areas.
Once assembled, the group will try to assess and evaluate the state or condition of particular places in the regional center in relation to any possible calamity or catastrophe that might hit the city and determine or identify possible relocation and evacuation sites, the councilor said.
Tan then recalled the 1976 Moro Gulf earthquake and tsunami that took place on Aug. 17, 1976 that devastated 700 kilometers of coastline bordering the Moro Gulf and destroyed coastal communities in the region including Pagadian City.
At least 5,000 people died during the earthquake and tsunami, with thousands more missing.
Such tragedy is more likely to happen again and its recurrence must be anticipated considering that the South Pacific Islands have been constantly rocked by strong earthquakes, Tan further explained.
Added to the danger is the presence of uninterrupted tropical depressions hitting the country coupled with the seasonal reversing of strong winds bringing with it big waves, which endanger the lives and properties of residents in this city’s coastal areas.
Tan specifically identified the villages of Tawagan Sur, Muricay, White Beach, Kawit, San Pedro, Santiago, Sta. Lucia, Dumagoc, Napolan, Bomba and Poloyagan as the places exposed to such danger.
“Given the prevailing circumstances and in consideration of the fact that there is no substitute for being prepared of any eventually, this body finds it more prudent to convene the CDCC in collaboration with other concerned agencies purposely to monitor and evaluate the condition, state of the city’s coastal areas,” Tan concluded his report.
Meanwhile, in a visit to the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), area coordinator and training officer Angelito Casinillo told this paper that initial equipments and facilities have already been provided by the city government like motor and rubber boats, ambulance, first-aid kits, hand-held radios and diving gears.
Like Tan, Casinillo shares the view of convening the CDCC anew since the mentioned resource assesment inventory contained in the contingency plan prepared by the city government is already several years outdated and needs improvement and polish.
He added that the CDCC needs to purchase another rubber boat for immediate rescue efforts and emergency response as well as the recruitment of volunteers who will undergo trainings related on disaster management like rescue operations, first aid, and other emergencies.
REPORT BY JONG CADION & MICHAEL MEDINA