P1.5M PDRRMC OpCen in Siquijor inaugurated 

by Rizalie A. Calibo 

SIQUIJOR, July 03 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Siquijor through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) inaugurated yesterday the newly-completed P1.5-million PDRRMC Operation Center. 

PDRRMC Executive Officer Arturo Pacatang said the operation center is part of efforts to upgrade and stabilize disaster communication system and other disaster response facilities. 

"This will strengthen our reporting system and other preparations to easily manage disasters," he said. 

He called on PDRRMC committees and member agencies to formulate action plans and be responsive of their functions in the event of disasters. 

The operation center now stands at the Provincial Capitol Area which will be manned by Civil Defense Assistant Blezel Omictin. 

Msgr. Candelario Catubig officiated the blessing with the presence of the provincial government officials led by governor Orlando A. Fua, heads of the national government agencies and other members of the PDRRMC. (RMN/RAC-PIA7 Siquijor)

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Siquijor disaster council distributes disaster preparedness equipment 

by Rizalie A. Calibo 

SIQUIJOR, July 03 (PIA) -- The provincial disaster council has distributed 20 Kenwood hand-held radios with early warning systems, preparedness and response equipment to its four committees. 

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) will also distribute 12 heavy duty and four underwater flashlights, two underwater digital cameras, three transistor radios, two repeaters and 12 battery chargers. 

During the PDRRMC meeting held at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, Siquijor Provincial Capitol PDRRMC Executive Officer Arturo Pacatang said the province has acquired at least 30 units of handheld radios and other equipment from last year’s local disaster risk reduction and management fund (LDRRMF). 

Four of these units were already turned over to the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the two barangays in Lazi. 

He said the mitigation, response, rehabilitation and preparedness committees through the lead agencies should receive five hand-held radios and two flashlights each with charger. 

One repeater is placed in Mt. Bandilaan and the other one will be placed at the IPHO. 

The underwater camera and the underwater flashlights were given to Bantay Dagat task force and the emergency rescue team, he said. 

He added there is a regular inventory of equipment in the province and that in the event of disaster, these equipment are available. 

Pacatang urged the PDRRMC to adopt a resolution allowing the use of the 2011 PDRRMC budget balance for the purchase of a rubber boat for water search and rescue, 135 horse power unit engine for the Samaritan boat or a new speed boat that would transport patients from Siquijor to Dumaguete as he admits Siquijor hospital’s constraints in handling emergency cases. (RMN/RAC-PIA7 Siquijor)