RDCC to focus more on disaster preparedness

The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council is prioritizing its disaster preparedness campaign in view of the mine accident in Dalaguete town, which claimed 10 lives last December 10.

RDCC-7, as the council's directional guide for 2006, is planning to outline a four-point action plan.

RDCC-7 head Glenn J. Rabonza said the plan is (1) to upgrade the forecasting capability of PAGASA and PHILVOCS, (2) public information campaign on disaster preparedness, (3) capacity building for LGUs in identified vulnerable areas, (4) and mechanisms for government and private sector partnership in relief and rehabilitation.

On the other hand, the Department of Energy-7 disclosed that implementation of coalmines safety rules and regulations should be the lookout of mine operators.

DOE-7 director Antonio Labios said conditions inside the mine such as gas reading, timber support strength, ventilation situation, and even attitude of workers in observing the rules changes from time to time such that it is necessary that mine operators should comply with the DOE's safety rules.

The DOE on the other hand has to monitor the operator's compliance and issue recommendations to improve the implementation of rules.

Central Visayas has four exploration contracts and three are in the development and production stage.

The buyers of coal for fuel in thermal plants are PNOC, Salcon and CEMEX in Naga, MIRANT in Toledo, and Grand Cement in San Fernando.

The demand for coal as fuel in these plants is too big that coal mines in Central Visayas can only supply less than 10 percent of the demand. - Gregg M. Rubio