Risk reduction council in Ifugao charts priority concerns

Philippines - With the celebration of July as “Disaster Awareness Month” and its mission to save lives, minimize suffering, and protect properties from damage and destruction, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) here charted out concerns that will be prioritized.

Marcela Cortez of the PDRRMC said that this is done because of the realization that Ifugao ranked 20th among the hazardous places in the country due to its vulnerability to calamities such as typhoons, vehicular accidents, and diseases like dengue and cholera.

This realization has eroded the physical stamina, emotional strength, and financial capability of the people; a disaster-prepared people would diminish the aftermath effects with the assistance of the PDRRMC through the provision of a pro-active, efficient, and effective disaster risk reduction management.

This will in turn lessen the occurrence of morbidity, mortality, and damage to property due to disaster and ensure public safety and security, she explained.

Among the major issues and concerns mentioned are the occurrence of injuries and death, disruption of delivery of services, increase incidence of morbidity due to water and environment-related diseases, disruption of way of life of the people due to armed conflict, and increased damage to personal properties.

The Council provided some measures and strategies to address these issues and concerns in the coming months to prepare the people for any disaster.

The PRRMC will conduct trainings for local disaster council members and establish an in-placed system of emergency response among them, conduct medical mission, designate functional evacuation centers provided with equipments to lessen injuries and deaths.

It will conduct training of staff on management of mass casualty incidents, use the inter Local Health Zones, provide emergency assistance and counseling, and establish Health Emergency Management System (HEMS) to continue delivery of services.

An advocacy to preventive health, sanitation and environmental education and efficient and effective delivery of public health services including the procurement and distribution of emergency medicines and logistics would be done to lessen incidence of morbidity on water-related diseases.

Communities would be coaxed to report to authorities the presence of insurgents in their places to maintain the area’s peace and order.

Pre-emptive evacuation shall be done when needed, building and fire prevention codes will be implemented, preparation and stricter implementation of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan will also be done, and early warning systems will be established .