OCD 7: Central Visayas Ready for Disasters
Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Central Visayas assures its residents that Central Visayas is prepared in case natural disasters like typhoon and earthquake hit the region.
During the Association of Government Information Officers’ (AGIO) Forum last July 3, OCD 7 Regional Director Concepcion Ornopia discussed the importance of the observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM), following the Executive Order (EO 29) signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Last week, NDRM-related activities such as the theme writing and mobile photography contests were held.
“We have also conducted a community-based resilience caravan in Talisay, in-line of our celebration of the National Disaster Resilience Month,” Ornopia said.
Information, education and communication materials containing disaster resilience tips were distributed during the caravan, she added.
Also present during the forum were Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 7 Director Edilberto Paradelaga and Disaster Risk Reduction Management-Climate Change Focal Person James Andaya, of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
According to Dir. Ornopia, the NDRM, formerly known as the National Disaster Consciousness Month, was changed since the Philippines as a whole, is already aware and conscious of our vulnerability to disaster.
Andaya also said, “Before, we focused on how to respond to calamities, now we have shifted to disaster preparedness.
In terms of the disaster resilience and preparedness of Central Visayas, he said that DILG has made sure that disaster preparedness management is localized from the national government down to the puroks.
“So far, local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas have been very supportive of the disaster resilience management,” Andaya shared.
“The DILG has also strengthened the rules when it comes to the compliance of disaster management plans by the LGUs,” he added.
DILG has also lined up mandatory trainings to barangay officials, considering the changes following the recent barangay election.
Dir. Paradela also lauds the launching of the Metro Cebu Earthquake Model (MCEM) Atlas.
The MCEM-Atlas is a seismic ground motion hazard assessment specific for Metro Cebu, considering various earthquake sources including the Central Cebu Fault System. It may be used as reference in the seismic design of buildings and structures, DOST said.
The launching of MCEM-Atlas is aimed to aid disaster preparedness for the whole of Metro Cebu.
DOST Dir. Paradela also promised that the DOST will work on expanding this model. (hfg with report from Jan Karla Madrio/PIA7)
