OCD Prepares LGUs Against Disasters

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD)7 has assured the public they are on the right track in lessening the effect of disaster on the lives and properties as far as safety measures are concerned.

Technician Support Division Chief Ver Neil Balaba of OCD 7 during the Post Yolanda Press Briefing at the Central Command Headquarters, Camp Lapu lapu, Lahug, said that after three disasters hit Central Visayas for the past two years, all local government units (LGUs) concerned are already aware of what to do in case there are other catastrophic incidents to happen.

Balaba said that OCD, being an agency in-charge, has conducted rigid training on typhoons, earthquakes, tsunami, tidal waves and even fires. OCD also led the LGUs to make their constituents safe in any anticipated disasters.

Balaba hinted they have already gathered all barangay chairmen in the four provinces of region 7 such as Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor to guide them what to do during the onset of natural calamities. Natural calamities are classified as typhoon, tsunami, tidal waves, earthquake, Balaba said.

He said inviting all barangay officials was a part of the provincial activities headed by each governor of the aforementioned provinces.

The city and municipal mayors of each province in Central Visayas were also gathered separately just for the purpose of enhancing their knowledge and capacity to lessen the impact and loss of lives when disaster comes.

Balaba said that if ever natural disasters hits again in Central Visayas, he assured the people that every LGU already has knowledge what to do to save their constituents. At the same time he asked the public to cooperate with the government leaders in case the need arises to compliment and sustain whatever gaps the may experience in the field of survival.

He added that after the tragic collision of two passenger ships at the Talisay seas in 2012, followed by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake, and super typhoon Yolanda, both on October 15, and November 9, last year respectively, the government has already reached the 90 percent level of full rehabilitation efforts in the province of Bohol and northern portion of Cebu province.