DSWD-7 staff holding a simulation exercise in preparation for the possible escalation of the alert status of Mt. Kanlaon to Level 4. (DSWD photo)
CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 7 conducted a simulation exercise for ‘Oplan Exodus’ in preparation for the possible increase of the alert status of Mt. Kanlaon volcano in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
DSWD-7 personnel who are assigned to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and camp personnel participated in the drill in case of a possible alert level escalation to level 4.
Armed with valuable things that they can immediately grab during an emergency, including the Emergency Go Bag, the team used the available vehicles and converged near the rotunda in Barangay Tagbino, Vallehermoso, a neighboring town of Canlaon City.
The Emergency Go Bag provision ensures that DSWD staff can bring necessary things in times of emergency and need to evacuate to a safer place.
Inside the Emergency Go Bag are items like a whistle and compass, fire steel, cutting wire, multi-purpose survival tool, surgical gloves, face mask, face towel, flashlight, band-aid tapes, and rescue blanket, among others.
Camp personnel from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) of Negros Oriental, who are in Canlaon City for augmentation support, also joined the simulation exercise.
After the simulation exercise, the group had a post-assessment on how to improve the evacuation drill of the government personnel.
“The drill was successful, and everyone is learning the plan for ‘Oplan Exodus.’ However, some things need to be considered, especially communicating with other staff and a buddy system. This is to ensure that no one will be left in case Level 4 will be raised,” said Quick Response Team (QRT) 1 action officer Reggie Locsin during the post-assessment evaluation.
She also informed the group that the first two minutes of continuous siren is a warning that there is an incoming danger and all individuals within the 4-km to 6-km permanent danger zone need to evacuate, while the five minutes of continuous siren is a warning that all individuals within 6 kms. to 10 kms. of permanent danger zone need to evacuate and should go to the designated safe zones areas.
Meanwhile, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are temporarily staying in the eight evacuation camps also had their daily simulation exercise for the ‘Oplan Exodus.’ (HFG/PIA7 with reports from DSWD)
