DAR partners with PDRRMC for disaster preparedness

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Oct. 23 (PIA6) – Everyone must be resilient to the hazards brought about by different disasters.

Capiz Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial head Maria Teresa Valencia said that the conduct of preparedness training and drill will provide the public with the needed knowledge and skills in mitigating the impacts of both man-made and natural disasters.

Valencia stressed that they have been conducting continuous lectures and earthquake and fire drill to their employees in coordination with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council here for their safety and the safety of their family members.

She said that the feedbacks by the evaluators will make them more prepared and take measures to address their weaknesses.

Valencia likewise said that their Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan was mainstreamed in their Gender and Development Plan to have a more comprehensive and realistic plan.

“This is already the second time that we conduct the fire and earthquake drill and we see some improvements in our preparedness skills,” she said, pointing out that the same has been included in their regular annual activities.

The PDRRMC has also been leading other national and local government agencies, schools and private entities in Capiz in the conduct of orientation and fire as well as earthquake drill.

The activity has the active participation of different agencies such as the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Administration, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Philippine Red Cross, Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine Information Agency and volunteer groups.

The conduct of disaster orientation and drill is in consonance with Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 which aims among others the upholding of the people's constitutional rights to life and property by addressing the root causes of vulnerabilities to disasters, strengthening the country's institutional capacity for disaster risk reduction and management and building the resilience of local communities to disasters including climate change impacts. (JCM/ Jemin B. Guillermo/PIA6-Capiz)