Philippines: Communities, schools trained on disaster preparedness
To prepare students, teachers and community residents to any untoward occurrence of calamities and disasters, the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council conducted Disaster Preparedness Symposium to different schools and barangays in the municipality of Tobias Fornier.
The Municipal Police Station of the said town spearheaded the activity with the Office of Civil Defense and the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC). About a thousand students, parents and community residents attended the symposium at Concepcion L. Cazeñas Memorial School in Barangay Abaca, Tobias Fornier where the location of the school was considered high risk to landslide.
Broderick Train, Executive Director of PDCC, one of the speakers during the symposium discussed disaster preparedness strategies during landslide, earthquake ad typhoon including four aspects of disaster consciousness such as mitigation, preparedness, response and rehabilitation. The students were also given simulation exercises in cases of earthquake and landslides.
Mayor Ma. Orchid Fornier said that the symposium and simulation exercise attended by barangay officials and tanods are key elements in the formulation of Integrated Area/Community Public Safety Plan. She also said that she is in full support to this program to increase the awareness of her constituents on what to do in times of calamities to attain zero casualty just like the recent disastrous typhoon that hit Western Visayas.
By JV Castillon
Among the barangays that attended the symposium are Bagumbayan, Abaca, Opsan, Ysulat, Bariri, Igcasicad, Igcadac, Igbangkal A, B and C. (PNP/PIA)