LUBAO -- Governor Lilia Pineda and Vice Governor Dennis Pineda led the distribution of 460 handheld radio units worth P5-million to village chiefs at this town’s public gymnasium recently.
It was learned that the provincial government through its Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council has already allotted a total of P13.1 million for the purchase of various communication devices.
In 2013, the Capitol purchased and distributed 21 base radios, one in every municipality and city, as well as 200 handheld radio units for the municipal disaster risk reduction management councils, municipal engineers, other key municipal officials, and chieftains of coastal villages.
Aside from this, the provincial government also maintains three repeaters in Clark Freeport Zone, two dedicated for disaster management and response and the other for peace and order, to ensure a wider communication network for officials and are financed P45,000 monthly.
“The handheld radios shall be used not only for response during the occurrence of disaster itself, but during the preparation phase as well,” PDRRMC Officer Angie Blanco said.
Blanco also disclosed that a huge chunk of the PDRRMC’s funds is allocated for the purchase of communication devices and other pertinent equipment to hasten the delivery of information in times of need, thereby minimizing casualties if not prevent it.
The village chiefs were also educated by Andrew Ariem of the Kabalikat Civicom Radio Group on the proper use of their handheld radios, and were taught of the protocols utilized in times of emergencies and disaster response.
The Provincial Police Office headed by Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Recomono, Jr. also held a peace and order briefing in the same venue.
Chief Inspector Michael Masangkay presented their recent accomplishments under the anti-illegal drugs campaign.
Governor Pineda also enjoined the village chiefs on her continuous campaign against illegal drugs and instructed her fellow officials to utilize their radios in the maintenance of peace and order in their respective areas and assist the police in thwarting criminal activities.
“Ingatan yula pu ren. King saup da ring radio a ren, saguli ayaus yu kami, saguli makapadala kaming saup istung kailangan yu. (Please take good care of your new radios. With the help of these devices you can easily get a hold of us and we can easily send you the assistance that you need),” said Governor Pineda.
The governor was also joined by Board Members Anthony Joseph Torres, Cherry Manalo, Salvador Dimson, Jr., Ex-Officio Board Member and ABC president Gerome Tubig, and Chief-of-Staff Olga Frances Dizon. (Angelique Tuazon/Pampanga PIO)