BAGUIO CITY – the celebration of the National Disaster Consciousness Month takes full swing in this mountain resort July 22 as volunteers and stakeholders gather in the heart of the city.
As part of the countrywide celebration, the city also tied the program to the commemoration of the July 16, 1990 Killer Earthquake 22 years ago.
Mayor Mauricio Domogan, who also sits as chair of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) said, ‘preparation is a major factor during calamities which could save hundreds of lives’.
The program is spiced with the ‘Tales of Heroism’ from different people who helped during the city’s dark days, the likes of Elpidio Celzo of Benguet Corporation, Engr. Alfredo Reynosa of Philex Mining Corporation and Lt. Col. Jose Demar Pauly of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
The Philippine Air Force and other rescue groups demonstrated their skills on ‘ground search and rescue’ and emergency drills to show their preparedness during disaster and calamities and to highlight their strength and capabilities.
Domogan said, ‘raising people’s awareness will lessen the risks during natural occurring calamities and emergencies’.
Parts of the city is highly vulnerable to landslides and other calamities reason why the CDRRMC continuously conducts series of lectures and seminars to the 128 barangays in the city with regards to disaster preparedness and mitigation.
Calamity-prone-barangays are also being closely monitored.
The program ended with a Bloodletting activity of the Philippine National Red Cross-Baguio Chapter where volunteers donated blood for others who need it.
The activity is also in line with the celebration of the Blood Donors Month celebration.
Executive Order 137 of 1999 declares the Month of July as National Disaster Consciousness Month.
Meantime, the Department of Science and Technology and PAGASA recently launched the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards “Project NOAH” to help local government Units to view weather situations anywhere in the country.
Project NOAH (noah.dost.gov.org) allows viewers access to live satellite images of the country’s weather situation through the different Doppler stations. ***paul rillorta