ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry P. Treñas is set to issue an executive order (EO) that will lay down vital protocols during rescue operations, medical emergencies, and other related emergency responses.
The other day he convened the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
They came up with measures to avoid incidents similar to what transpired in Barangay Baldoza, La Paz district on June 11 – while being removed, a water tanker that figured in a vehicular accident further plowed bystanders who were in the scene; the responder maneuvering the truck control of it.
According to Treñas, his EO will be anchored on Executive Order No. 56-2018 by former President Rodrigo Duterte, which tasked the BFP as primary service responder for medical emergencies and rescue operations.
“Kon sin-o ang una amo na siya ma-ground commander pero pag-abot sang BFP, sila na dayon ma-take over,” Treñas explained.
EO No. 56 institutionalizes the Emergency 911 hotline as the nationwide emergency answering point, replacing Patrol 117, and for other purposes.
It also names the BFP as lead agency in conducting fire suppression operations and providing the public with emergency medical services, hazardous materials protection, and technical search and rescue services.
The Philippine National Police (PNP), on the other hand, is named the lead agency in providing police assistance in relation to public safety and crime prevention.
Treñas said his EO will serve as guide while a proposed ordinance on this matter is still being crafted.
“May ara suggestion nga mapasar ordinansa, but that will take time. In the meantime, EO lang anay pagwaon. But ang punta gid may ordinansa kita para sa ini nga mga protocols – that will include also the bystanders kag sa tanan nga ara sa scene nga kinanglan may perimeter nga indi sila ka palapit,” the city mayor further said.
Meantime, based on the latest count, the number of injured individuals during the Baldoza incident rose to 23 and two deaths.
Treñas reiterated that the city government will assist those who were hospitalized and the families of the two fatalities./PN
