RDRRMC-7 Readies for APEC Cebu

(PIA-7) — Safety and security of delegates will be the top priority in case of emergencies as the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-7) is finalizing its Integrated Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan with the nearing countdown of APEC meetings in Cebu.

RDRRMC-7 Chair and regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD-7) Olivia Luces said the plan details the resources available in case of long and sudden onset of incidents including typhoons, earthquakes and fire and the succeeding actions to be taken.

“There are 11 staging areas for emergency response equipped with appropriate personnel to respond to health, fire and security concerns,” said Luces during the recent forum of the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7) that tackled the preparations for the APEC event in Cebu.

Luces said they are continually doing training for emergency responders mostly comprised of military, police and fire personnel to ensure zero gaps in emergency response.

“Our priority is to ensure that our visitors are safe and protected” when they come here during the APEC meetings, said Luces adding that thousands of delegates from various countries will be in Cebu to participate in any of the five scheduled meetings. The number does not include the spouses or other accompanying members of the delegates, she said.

According to Luces, government doctors will be on standby round-the-clock and an ambulance set nearby in the identified hotel venues in case of health emergencies.

A joint operations center will be set up which will be manned by both the RDRRMC-7 and its national counterpart.

The RDRRMC-7 chair said among the resources she lacks is a long ladder in case of blaze and an ambulance that fits the APEC criteria and not just solely for transport.

Luces said the Integrated Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan will be presented on July 17 and 18. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)