Saturday, May 31, 2008 Capitol conducts seminar on disaster preparedness
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A four-day seminar on "Contingency Planning on Disaster and Risk Management" was conducted by the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) in cooperation with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) and National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) at the King's Royal Hotel and Leisure Park in Bacolor town recently.
This, amid the flooding and other typhoon-related calamities being experienced by several towns in the province.
Governor Eddie Panlilio ordered the PDCC to initiate plans and programs that would make the province prepared in any emergency situations.
Search and rescue, relief, and evacuation of affected areas are just some of the ways where the PDCC and their municipal counterparts play a crucial role during calamities.
Resource persons from the NDCC presented modern approaches in understanding hazards and how to initiate counter measures to mitigate its adverse effects.
They also gave an orientation on the Philippine Disaster Management System's legal framework and the roles and functions of the NDCC -- how to outsource funding, hazard mapping and preparing contingency plans on a provincial and municipal level.
Representatives from each Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council (MDCC) all over the province presented their plans and programs in their respective localities.
Director Neri Amparo of the Office of the Civil Defense said Pampanga is prepared and equipped to answer the calls of any emergency and disaster in the province.
Assistant Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Susan Dimabuyu stressed that "no amount of relief or assistance can replace the loss of lives and properties."
She said her office prioritizes disaster preparedness programs and activities. "It is still better to prepare than to repair." (RCG)
