THERE are a lot of hazards today that we are overlooking, but is happening. Again, please be careful. These hazards may become a disaster when not managed. So today, I would want to give you information of some, so you would help in Disaster Risk Reduction.
First, when you open your Facebook account, your news feed immediately shows lots of posts about what’s happening real time. Earthquakes, for instance, is the most famous (when it happens). I understand that these posts are done after the earthquake, but tell me; have you performed standard procedures when the earth was shaking? I still suggest that we do the duck-cover-hold technique immediately when the earthquake is felt, regardless of its strength or duration. Let’s not wait for it to become stronger before we do the procedure - Because by that time, you won’t be able to secure yourself properly already.
Another hazard is the dry forests that easily catches fire. So how do we manage it? Let’s work all together to guard these dry forest, shoo away people who tries to burn them, and extinguish the small fire if we can, so it will not grow all over the forest.
In La Trinidad, there are fire incidents which started to burn the forest: Mt Kalugong, Alapang Communal forest, Longlong Forest, Buhao forest, and at Busol Watershed. But these incidents were managed, thanks to the concerted efforts of the responsible Barangay Officials, Tanods, BPATS and their volunteers, La Trinidad Municipal ENRO, Fire Station (BFP), BJMP, PNP and DRRMC.
To those whose homes are within vegetated lands, perhaps it’s time to consider making a fire-line. A fire-line is a separation of thick vegetation by at least 2 meters wide. Visit the nearest Fire station in your place for proper techniques and information.
The hardest part of extinguishing a forest fire is when its location is out of reach. When there is no access road, our fire trucks can no longer supply the water. This is the time when a lot of fire fighter volunteers are needed. So perhaps, instead of taking pictures of the thick smokes in the woods, posting it in social media with a depredatory caption, offer help to your fire fighters, encourage them, bring water or food, because there is someone there taking the risk fighting.
And finally, the scariest hazard now is the measles virus. It already claimed a little child’s life here, in case you were not informed.
The Department of Health and the Provincial Health Offices are now into a mass vaccination program for this measles virus, including anti Oral Polio and Japanese Encephalitis. For this program to be very effective in fighting the hazard, your cooperation is very important by letting your children be immunized. They give these vaccines to children as young as 6 months to 59 months old.
To be more convenient for you and your child, In La Trinidad, there is a vaccination booth in front of the Municipal Hall Building open every day.
Another area is in front of Benguet General Hospital. And in barangays, vaccines are available in all the Rural Health Unit Centers and Clinics.
In fact, there are even roving nurses going house to house for this program, but, of course, be vigilant to check their IDs before letting them get inside your homes. All vaccines are free.
With these hazards present in our community, helping and cooperating with each other (to prevent the Disaster) is the only key.