OCD opens hotlines when disaster strikes
By Rose B. Palacio
Davao City (4 October) -- The Office of Civil Defense has opened its hot lines to provide swift coordination and assistance particularly when disaster strikes, keeps close watch on disaster prone areas together with the Local Disaster Coordinating Council and other concerned government agencies.
As ordered by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to provide swift assistance to victims of typhoons, OCD XI Director Carmelito Lupo said he alerted all local disaster coordinating councils down to the municipal levels to keep close monitoring on disaster prone areas and be prepared on any eventuality although Davao is a typhoon-free city.
Prone disaster areas in mining places of Diwalwal in Monkayo ang in Pantukan, both located in the province of Compostela Valley are also being watched and warned those residents to vacate in prone areas, he said.
Areas with steep slops and cracks found in some parts of these mining areas are also being closely watched, he said.
During the first quarter of this year, reported floodings in the municipalities of Carmen, Braulio Dujali and Asunsion in Davao del Norte were noted although there was no reported major damage on properties nor casualties, he said.
He also alerted the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or Pag-Asa including the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) to be always on immediate dissemination of correct information on the weather forecasts, typhoons and other disastrous events.
Pag-asa should immediately provide the public necessary warnings if necessary for any incoming typhoons or disasters, he said.
Director Lupo said we will heighten our information campaign and education drive on disaster, on what to do before, during and after disasters and wage wide campaign on disaster prone areas for the public to keep closely watch on and for every community to be prepared during disasters. (PIA) [top]
