By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino PIA Quezon Manager Cecille Cambe Maloles and OCD CALABARZON Information Officer Mark Rafael L. Sasutona discu...
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| PIA Quezon Manager Cecille Cambe Maloles and OCD CALABARZON Information Officer Mark Rafael L. Sasutona discuss disaster preparedness during Kapihan sa PIA Quezon at Pacific Mall Lucena. (Pacific Mall Lucena) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Emergency supplies are being placed at strategic sites across Quezon to hasten their delivery when typhoons and other disasters strike the province, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) CALABARZON said. Positioning family, hygiene and shelter repair kits before emergencies will reduce delivery delays and allow responders to assist evacuees and families with damaged homes sooner.
OCD CALABARZON information officer Mark Rafael L. Sasutona disclosed the initiative during the July 22 edition of Kapihan sa PIA Quezon. He said the agency’s operations section is coordinating with selected local government units that can serve as storage points for the emergency supplies.
Quezon’s frequent exposure to tropical cyclones and its wide geographical coverage make advance stockpiling essential to disaster response. Sasutona said preparations must be completed before a major weather disturbance begins affecting vulnerable communities.
“Sa ngayon, pini-preposition na po namin ang aming mga non-food items sa pamamagitan ng operations section ng OCD CALABARZON. Inilalagay po ang mga ito sa mga estratehikong lugar kada distrito upang mas mapabilis ang pagbibigay ng tulong sa mga apektadong LGU,” Sasutona said.
OCD will retain control of the stockpiles while partner LGUs keep the supplies closer to communities that may need immediate assistance. Available items may be released once a local government submits a request supported by reports on conditions and needs in affected areas.
Stockpiles contain family kits, personal-hygiene supplies and materials for emergency shelter repairs. Priority items include soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and basic household necessities commonly required inside evacuation centers.
Disaster readiness also depends on trained personnel and communities that understand how to respond to warnings. OCD and local disaster risk reduction and management offices conduct training, skills development and public education during periods without active emergencies.
Local emergency operations centers may shift to round-the-clock operations once an impending hazard threatens their areas. Trained teams also remain ready to augment local governments handling evacuation, rescue and other emergency operations.
Equipment and supplies alone, Sasutona said, cannot protect residents who delay acting on official warnings. Communities classified as highly or moderately susceptible to flooding and landslides were particularly urged to evacuate before conditions become dangerous.
“Kailangan po nating maging handa at lumikas kung kinakailangan upang hindi na maulit ang mga insidenteng nalalagay sa panganib ang ating mga responder habang nagsasagawa ng rescue. Kapag nagbigay na po ng abiso ang national at local authorities, dapat agad itong sundin ng ating mga komunidad,” Sasutona said.
Republic Act 12287 or the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act allows authorities to undertake anticipatory measures when forecasts indicate a highly probable disaster with severe projected effects. These measures include pre-positioning response teams and relief supplies, mobilizing trained volunteers and carrying out preemptive or forced evacuations.
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