ILOILO City – A city councilor is pushing for the institutionalization of disaster response protocols following the botched rescue operation of a water tanker that crashed in Barangay Baldoza, La Paz district. The rescue turned into another accident that killed two individuals and injured 23 others.
Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, in a privilege speech during the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) regular session on Wednesday, stressed it is vital to have a ground commander and clearly defined roles for responders.
“There must be someone responsible and accountable to lead the response, manage the personnel and resources available, as well as determine the appropriate course of action,” said Cabaluna, who chairs the SP committee on transportation.
Concerned government agencies such as the Bureau of Fire Protection, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and Public Safety and Transportation Management Office are currently crafting the protocols.
The city councilor also stressed the need for equipment appropriate for the situation being responded.
He cited, for instance, a tow truck or in the absence thereof, a tow bar.
It can be recalled that a driver of the CDRRMO maneuvered the water tanker supposedly to relocate it but lost control and hit by standers.
Cabaluna also stressed the importance of cordoning the subject area to prevent the crowd from interfering with the response efforts.
“No one should be in the hot and warm zone of the scene of the incident if they don’t have a role to play in the disaster or rescue response. Even members of the media should have a designated place. Civilians can easily disturb or hamper actual rescue operations. Bawal dapat ang mga usyusero,” he said./PN
