ANTIQUE – The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of San Jose de Buenavista town stressed anew the importance of early warning and preemptive evacuation.
San Jose MDRRMO officer Fe Corazon S. Tacogdoy said on Feb. 22 that early warning, forecast-based action, and the cooperation of the public in are essential for their safety and protection during severe weather disturbances.
She encouraged residents to cooperate with authorities, citing that many refused preemptive evacuation during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng” in October last year.
Tacogdoy noted, however, that the challenge of making people understand also rests with the local DRRMO; thus, they are working to improve disaster information and education campaigns in collaboration with the different barangays.
School evacuation centers are also being reassessed for their suitability for various types of calamities, as some may be utilized for other incidents but not for flooding or storm surges.
In pursuit of improved competencies and capabilities, the San Jose MDRRMO is now holding face-to-face seminars and training for its personnel, including refresher courses and local DRRM planning workshops.
Recently, San Jose MDRRO personnel underwent an Emergency Operations Center Management Training with the Office of Civil Defense Region 6.
Key actors in disaster response and management, such as the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard, and volunteer groups like the Kabalikat Civicom, were also involved in the training.
Tacogdoy also emphasized that while they appreciate private individuals ready to provide services during calamities, it is crucial that actions are coordinated on the field and volunteers are properly protected and equipped, hence the need to be accredited as community disaster volunteers.
“We need to look at their skills, training, and capacity before we deploy them on missions… We cannot risk the lives of these people,” said Tacogdoy. (PIA Antique)/PN
