Tabuk City puts up disaster plans

By Geraldine G. Dumallig

Tuesday 17th of July 2012

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, July 17 (PIA) -- Tabuk is now implementing its Disaster Risk Reduction Management plans with the acquisition of respond equipment and vehicles, and training of volunteers.

This was gathered from City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRM) coordinator Freddie Adop, who disclosed that the council has proposed another P2 million for the purchase of rescue equipment and trucks this year.

The city currently has two dump trucks, a rubber boat, and an ambulance being maintained by Red Cross Kalinga.

As city responders, several city government employees and the teams from the seven urban barangays were also provided with training on Basic Life Support (BLS). This, Adop said, will serve as the initial city responders/volunteers of the disaster council.

Just recently, the city government, in partnership with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional office, also trained a composite team of policemen, firemen, and city employees on water search and rescue.

This training, he said, would be of great advantage for Tabuk City considering that the area is flood prone especially those barangays located near the Chico River. Most of the reported typhoon casualties in the locality were due to drowning.

Said training was conducted as part of this year’s observation of the National Disaster Consciousness Month with the theme, “Ligtas na Bayan, Maunlad na Pamayanan.”

According to Adop, aside from these activities, preparation is still best started at home with individuals knowledgeable of what to do. In emergency situations, pre-emptive measures and preventive preparations are greatly encouraged among communities to avoid loss of life and properties, Adop said. (JDP/GGD-PIA CAR, Kalinga)