Iloilo City (1 July) -- It's National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) once again. The celebration is in connection with Presidential Executive Order No. 137 that designates the month of July as National Disaster Consciousness Month in order to heighten public awareness on the importance of disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.

All national government agencies, local government units, non-government organizations, private sector, media, academe and other stakeholders working towards the promotion of social welfare, human security and environmental protection are participating in this month-long observance.

The celebration started yesterday with an opening ceremony that included a "Amlig Kabuhi" video presentation and ribbon-cutting of NDCM Exhibit, an exhibit on Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, at SM City-Iloilo. The exhibit will last until July 14.

Nationwide activities include Nationwide Tree Planting activity on the 2nd week and Simultaneous National Earthquake Drill on the 3rd week, which aims to increase the level of awareness of every student in earthquake emergency situation.

Different activities were also lined-up for the NDCM celebration in the region that includes a Hospital Drill in Kabankalan District Hospital, Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental on July 3 and Regional Contingency Planning Seminar on AH1N1 in Iloilo City on July 9 –10. Disaster Risk Reduction training among disaster managers in the Province of Antique will follow on July 11-12.