BACOLOD City – Over a hundred persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens in this city participated in a fire drill yesterday, July 31, to mark the 45th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week and National Disaster Resilience Month.
The NDPR Week is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1870 of 1979, as amended by Presidential Proclamation No. 361 of 2000. This year’s celebration theme is “Person with Disabilities Accessibility and Rights: Towards a Sustainable Future Where No One is Left Behind”.
Clarence Locsin, a job order casual of the city government and a PWD, said the city annually conducts the NDPR in cooperation with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and SM City Bacolod.
He added that 61 barangays sent senior citizens and PWDs to join the activity.
Fire Officer 2 Jose Samuel Lapuz of the Bacolod City Fire Station said the fire drill was conducted simultaneously nationwide in high-density occupancies.
The fire drill also coincided with the mall’s Emergency Preparedness Forum in line with Disaster Resilience Month celebration.
Dr. Ted Esguerra, disaster management specialist, said PWDs and senior citizens should be given attention and taught how to be prepared for a disaster as they are more vulnerable.
He also emphasized the importance of a Go Bag Kit which a person can immediately bring in case of a disaster./PN
