GMA orders typhoon drills in schools
by ES Subong
Iloilo City (5 October) -- President Gloria Arroyo recently ordered civil defense officials and the education department to conduct regular typhoon drills in schools throughout the country and bring the schools "into the loop of disaster preparedness".
The President had earlier ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways and the DepEd to prioritize the repair of school buildings damaged by typhoon Milenyo to ensure the safety and welfare of students.
She also directed all local government units and agencies concerned to set up local rescue teams in all landslide and flash-flood prone barangays in the country to raise the level of community readiness in case of landslides and flashfloods.
Mrs. Arroyo said that government instrumentalities are putting in place contingency measures, with the National Disaster coordinating Council at the helm. Likewise, the Department of Agriculture is ensuring the free flow of food supplies through the food caravan with the Department of Trade and Industry to ensure stable prices in areas most affected by the typhoon. (PIA 6) [top]
