Albay to carry out scenario-based disaster drills within 7 days

By Connie Calipay

LEGAZPI CITY --- The provincial government of Albay ordered the conduct of scenario-based drills simulating various disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, structural failures and fire evacuations, within seven days.

In a memorandum issued Tuesday, Governor Noel Rosal, who also chairs the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), said the drills are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and enhance community resilience.

“The activity is designed to ensure that public and private establishments, such as schools, offices, malls, and hospitals, are equipped to respond efficiently during disasters,” Rosal said.

The provinces of Cebu and Davao Oriental were recently hit by strong quakes while Masbate province was battered by a storm.

The local government units are required to submit post-activity reports detailing the results of their drills, including lessons learned, identified gaps and recommendations for improvement.

“The LGUs (local government units) shall implement corrective actions based on the findings from the drills. We participate in the nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill every year, but a coordinated, region-wide approach to preparedness is essential,” he added.

Meanwhile, Claudio Yucot, director of the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol, said LGUs must review their disaster protocols.

“They need to conduct drills. The protocols in these drills will be reviewed. We will assess and rate their effectiveness. This will help make preparations more effective,” Yucot said.

The drills will extend beyond the usual public convergence events and down to the barangay level, Yucot said.

“Most of our drills typically take place in schools and offices, but we will also conduct drills in churches, transportation terminals, malls and public markets. We want to carry out drills in areas where many people frequently gather,” he said.

“Everyone will be involved in the drills and at the regional level, we will ensure participation in accordance with the instructions from the NDRRMC. This is needed for ensuring an accurate and effective response to potential hazards,” he said.

Yucot said the OCD would asses the preparedness and response capabilities of LGUs along with the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Meanwhile, the Albay Provincial Health Office has a new warehouse that features a cold room and a spacious stockroom that both comply with Department of Health standards, making it ideal for storing both medical and non-medical supplies.

“This is a significant achievement for our province. These improvements will enhance our ability to respond to medical service requests from barangays, medical missions, civic organizations and even the national government,” Rosal said. (With a report from Valerie Olaño/PNA)