Capitol to get P108M from IOM for disaster preparedness, response

TYPHOON and evacuation drills are being conducted in Cebu’s towns and cities.

Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) chief Neil Sanchez said that there is a P108 million agreement between the province and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for pre-disaster and quick response trainings.

“Drills conducted reach the barangay level. We are adopting the purok system and coordinating with (former mayor) Alfredo Arquillano just what they did in Camotes,” Sanchez explained.
Involved in the drills are the local government units, barangay officials and committees involved  in disaster preparation and response.

Part of the drill is informing the people what kind of hazards they are facing and are vulnerable to.  Each locality has a hazard map identifying the areas that are prone to flooding, landslides and even storm surges.

Typhoon drills are being conducted in the towns of Alegria, Catmon, Sogod, Tuburan, and Tabuelan while flood early warning seminars are being conducted in the cities of Naga and Talisay.
The towns affected by typhoon Yolanda in northern Cebu will be next to hold the drills.

“We also created task force groups that are specific for preparedness, response and rehabilitation,” he said.
Since cellular phone signals  are down during disasters, they plan to buy 60 satellite phones from Smart Communications.

Each town will receive one satellite phone while the office of PDRRMC will have three. Each unit will have a load good for one year.
Sanchez said that there is a board resolution for the regular conduct of safety drills.

He said their objective is  to conduct the drills before August since it is the peak month for typhoons.
“These drills will be conducted not just once but will be continuously conducted,” Sanchez explained.

In Cebu City,  the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC) executive director Simeon Romarate Jr. said they are intensifying their monitoring and coordination with communities.
“Heavy equipment in mountainous areas and in the city are always on standby while generators and fire trucks for rescue are always ready,” he said.

In their list are five major rivers vulnerable to the threat of overflowing: the Guadalupe river, Lahug river, Bulacao river, Kinalumsan river and Mahiga Creek.
Information drives are conducted in barangays and schools in Cebu City.