ROXAS City – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Capiz is stockpiling food packs that include 100 sacks of rice reserved for La Niña and other emergencies in the province.
Lawyer Sheila Artillero said the proactive measure intends to make relief goods readily available the soonest possible time for calamity-affected residents.
The PDRRMO also boasts of its mobile command center, two speed boats, three ambulance units, and a truck which can be utilized in responding to emergencies.
“We also have a Search and Rescue (SAR) team that is one of the best-trained search and rescue personnel in the region,” she noted.
The province’s low-lying areas are prone to flooding during moderate to heavy rains.
She added that contingency planning for communities is being conducted by the PDRRMO to capacitate and empower Capiceños towards any calamities.
“We are building competencies all throughout the year,” Artillero stressed during the Kapihan episode about the National Disaster Resilience Month celebration.
Last May, the provincial government created the El Niño and La Niña Task Force as stipulated in Executive Order No. 13 issued by Gov. Fredenil H. Castro to strengthen the delivery of assistance to reduce possible effects of El Niño and La Niña on the welfare of people, livelihood, and economy.
A dredging of the Panay River was also launched in May for desiltation work to help address the flooding problem due to siltation and accumulated trash which obstruct the flow of water in the area.
The province has experienced historic floods in 2022 due to days of moderate to heavy rains brought about by Tropical Depression Agaton which has affected 365 of its 473 barangays.
Severe Tropical Storm Paeng in October 2022 has also resulted in a deluge of floodwaters which affected 270 barangays. (Philippine Information Agency)
