OCD 2 towns and two cities are prone to disasters

Two cities and two towns of Cebu have been identified by the Office of the Civil Defense-Disaster Coordinating Council as flood and landslide prone areas during the discussion on “Disaster Preparedness” yesterday at the regional office of the Philippine Information Agency.

These are the cities of Naga and Carcar and the towns of Minglanilla and Consolacion.

These places are reported to experience overflowing of the rivers during heavy rain.

The OCD is encouraging residents of these areas to practice the YOYO (you are on your own) concept when dealing with calamities.

“You can not expect help for the first few hours from national agencies. You are to respond on yourself before help comes,” said Neil Angelo Sanchez, OCD chief of operations.

Another action that the OCD is encouraging is the organization of reserve groups and training of people on action to be taken during disasters.

The preventive measures to be taken against the dangers brought by natural disasters were also discussed.

According to Engr. Oscar Tabada of PAGASA, 2008 is an active year for tropical cyclones in the Philippines, which can result to flooding, landslides and other natural disasters.

Sanchez said that the United Nations would conduct a program called as disaster risk reduction on which the LGUs of the Philippines will be joining.

“These hazards will only be disasters if we don’t act. Let us not wait for the disaster to worsen. Let us be disaster-conscious,” added Sanchez. — Annie Hazel Basada and Rizzi Ann C. Cerera, UP Tacloban, Communication Arts interns/NLQ