Disaster management body: Kapampangans’ safety is top priority

AN OFFICIAL of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) said in a recent visit to Candaba that the province’s top priority during the rainy season is the safety of the Kapampangans.

Engr. Lulu Alingcastre, PDRRMC head, said disaster preparation is a year-round activity in Pampanga even after the previous typhoons resulted in massive flooding to towns along the stretch of the Pampanga River.

“Nakahanda po tayo sa anumang kalamidad na papasok sa atin dahil isang taon po tayong nagpi-prepare para rito (We are ready for whatever calamity),” she earlier told the media during an interview.

Alingcastre also cited the active involvement of barangay officials in various trainings and seminars on disaster preparation and mitigation sponsored by the Provincial Government.

“Malaki ang magagawa ng mga nasa barangay sa panahon ng kalamidad dahil sila mismo ang nakaka-alam sa tunay na sitwasyon sa kani-kanilang lugar (Those in the villages can do a lot since they know what’s really happening in their respective areas),” she added.

She likewise urged them to help in information gathering to determine the situation of communities, especially during calamities.

This, according to Alingcastre, could be done through text messaging. “Isang text lang po ng mga kapitan alam na natin agad ang sitwasyon.”

The Provincial Government has allotted P30 million for the purchase of heavy equipment such as backhoe, dump truck and loader, among others.

The same will be used for clearing, dredging, de-clogging of affected waterways and rescue operations as the need arises.