DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur (PIA)—Mayor Josef Fortich Cagas wants to establish a culture of disaster resilience and preparedness starting from the children.
He said he is still coordinating with the Department of Education on how to do it.
Cagas recalled their commitment to disaster resilience and preparedness were strengthened when Digos City was struck with two major earthquakes on October 16, 2019.
He said the city was about to recover but on December 15, 2019, another earthquake shook Digos City.
“Covid pandemic ensued in 2019 which was followed by a landslide in Brgy Kapatagan, followed by a flood hitting 13 barangays in Digos City,” Cagas said.
He said there were a lot of lessons learned due to these calamities. The Mayor bared that the Philippine Institute of Seismology and Volcanology (PhiVolcs) revealed the presence of fault lines in Digos City.
Cagas said anytime a strong earthquake can strike seven coastal barangays in Digos City.
Ednar Dayanghirang, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense XI suggested to Cagas to conduct earthquake drill every quarter.
He said children need to practice their movements.
“Children must be exposed to the rigors of the environment especially when their lives in in danger,” Dayanghirang said.
He said one barangay simulation is better compared to two or more barangays in a simultaneous exercise since one barangay simulation management is better to manage.
Dayanghirang said the barangays in Digos City are too large to manage.
Racel Guerrero, social worker officer III, in-charge of regional operations section of the Department of Social Welfare and Development XI said the national simultaneous earthquake drill must be taken seriously.
She said the practice presents an opportunity to duck, cover, and hold when an earthquake strikes.
“During the shaking, it entails to “duck, cover and hold.” When the shaking stops, that entails running to a safer place,” Guerrero said. (JSGD)
