Bicol LGUs told to update contingency, disaster response plan

By Connie Calipay

LEGAZPI CITY –-- The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 5 (Bicol) ordered local government units (LGUs) in the region to update their contingency and disaster response plans amid the series of strong earthquakes and weather disturbances.

Claudio Yucot, Office of Civil Defense 5 and RDRRMC-5 chairperson, said the reports to be submitted by the LGUs would be reviewed to identify gaps; corrective actions would be recommended; and a consolidated regional plan for earthquake and tsunami preparedness would be developed.

“We will form a regional consolidated plan for earthquake and tsunami preparedness,” he said in an interview.

The LGUs were also urged to coordinate with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology to identify nearby fault lines and conduct earthquake drills this month.

An evaluation team will be established to analyze the reports and recommend to the national level any deficiencies that cannot be addressed at the regional level.

The team, Yucot said, would consist of representatives of the departments of social welfare, the Interior and local government, and education, the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other agencies.

Essential ‘go bags’

Yucot noted that the provision of “go bags” would be part of their evaluation, saying these are essential during emergencies.

“It’s important because we have experience with earthquakes. Having go bags ready to grab and evacuate is essential,” he said.

Yucot encouraged LGUs to comply as earthquakes with magnitudes between 7.0 and 8.0 can happen anytime.

“This is not meant to cause alarm but to emphasize the need for preparedness,” he said. “The goal is to ensure that our citizens are always ready and prepared for such events, both now and in the future.”

He said that this is a continuous effort and not a one-time initiative.

“It will be continuous so that people can develop memory and become accustomed to what to do in case of an earthquake or in areas prone to tsunamis,” Yucot said. (PNA)