Wednesday, April 30, 2008 RDCC warns for worse as rains continue By Carlo P. Mallo
THE Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) in Southern Mindanao has issued a warning against possible calamities as rains continue in the region.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) issued a weather forecast of another wet week for the Davao region last Sunday.
RDCC Southern Mindanao chair Andres Caro II, in his advisory said local government units (LGUs) should anticipate landslides and flashfloods.
Caro has also directed all the Local Disaster Coordinating Councils (LDCCs) to prepare their disaster response teams and be on alert at all times, as the region is already experiencing the early warnings of a rainy season.
The RDCC chairman also proposed the clearing, desilting, unclogging and repairing of waterways and its rehabilitation; ensuring effective communication and warning systems through close linkages with the media and other private and government entities with communication and warning capabilities; the conduct of information and education campaigns on the nature and effects of typhoons and floods including precautionary measures; conduct of hazard assessments to identify flood prone areas; and ensuring the enforcement of land use or building regulations pertinent to flood preparedness and mitigation.
The advisory also included the strengthening of local DCC organizations; the conduct of Disaster Response Trainings, especially in the barangay level; the conduct of periodic disaster drills to test the readiness and effectiveness of local DCCs and the community in responding to emergencies; encouraging the community to stockpile basic necessities such as flashlights, batteries, food, clothing and medical supplies; prop their houses, dredge canals, rivers, creeks and tributaries which tend to overflow during the rainy season; and that all LDCCs shall make available their 5 percent local calamity fund for possible response activities arising from the effects of typhoons, floods and their attendant risks.
