Siquijor readies disaster risk management plan

By Rizalie Anding Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Jan 18 (PIA) -- With some P14M calamity fund allocation in 2012,  Siquijor prepares for its disaster risk management plans and programs that includes the series of trainings and inventory of needed equipment for quick response to any disaster and calamity. 

During its January 17  meeting  the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) said the plans and programs and purchase of equipment need endorsement from the Provincial Development Council (PDC) and approval by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Siquijor. 

Provincial Board Member and PDRRMC executive officer Arturo Pacatang said that of over P14.6M calamity fund, 70 percent or P10,287,075.79 can be  programmed  for disaster  preparedness and mitigation while the 30 percent or P4,408, 746.77 is allotted as standby quick response fund.

Among the activities and programs  lined up are training and seminar on Water and Safety Rescue (WASAR) with a budget of P700,000 for the whole module with equipment needed for the Basic Life Support, Standard First Aide, Life Guarding, and Water Search and Rescue trainings.

Other sets of  training are the Incident Command System with a budget of P50,000; Mountain Search and Rescue (MOSAR), P500,000 for the three modules: Basic Life Support, Standard First Aid, and Mountaineering; Mass Casualty Incident Training, P50,000; and Stress Debriefing, P50,000.

Some  P100T is also allotted for Contingency Planning as recommended by Assistant Regional Director of the Office of Civil Defense Welino Gubuan.

Also included in the program is the purchase of a rescue vehicle complete with equipment worth P3M. 

Meanwhile, a provincial disaster operation center at the Provincial Capitol site is set for completion in April this year, says Pacatang. 

The center which was funded out of the 2011 calamity fund will also house the Capitol’s fire station, he said.

Among the equipment and materials acquired from last year’s fund are  two units repeater, hand-held radios, heavy duty underwater flashlights, underwater camera, rain boots, hard hats, raincoats, breathing apparatus and folding beds for the provincial hospital. 

"All these are being readied in case of emergency," he said. (mbcn/rac/PIA-Siquijor)