Cebu towns get emergency relief backpacks

Crista Mae P. Hermosa of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) shows one of the 18 relief backpacks given to Cebu towns.
(CDN Photo/Junjie Mendoza)

Emergency relief supplies in sturdy backpacks were turned over yesterday to 18 local government units (LGUs) at the Provincial Capitol.

The orange  backpacks were donated by the non-profit organization Direct Relief after the group saw that local responders lacked medical supplies and equipment to help victims of supertyphoon Yolanda last year.

Each backpack costs P37,000 and comes with essentials  for dealing with  emergencies like trauma, minor injuries and burns among others.

It contains first aid  medicine, sanitary gloves, gauze pads,  splints, bandages and other basic items for survival.

“Since it’s a backpack, you can carry it anywhere  and anytime,” said Dennis Chong, head of operations of the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

“Not only have these personnel been trained, we gave them additional equipment,”  he said.

Chong said the initial donation of backpacks went  to LGUs with Emergency Response Teams (ERT) or those with personnel who underwent  ERT training. More backpacks will be given next year. “We’ve been through Yolanda and Ruby. We need this kit especially because we are an island town,” said Bantayan municipal councilor Lita Desuyo.

Lack of  equipment and the remote location of island towns has been a factor in slow response time.

“Time was running while many people needed emergency intervention,” Chong said.

Among those who attended the turnover ceremony were representatives from Minglanilla and Barili in the south, and  Liloan, and Bantayan towns in the north.

LGUs that still have to claim their bags are Sta. Fe, Madridejos, Bogo City, San Francisco, Tudela, Poro, Pilar, Danao City, Talisay City, Naga City, Carcar City, Argao, Alegria and Oslob.

Direct Relief was first involved in relief efforts during Yolanda last year, donating supplies and equipment to the province.

The organization provides medical assistance to people around the world who have been affected by poverty, natural disasters, and civil unrest.