Disaster chief to public: Don't call hotlines for minor aches

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, formerly the City Disaster Coordinating Council, is on call 24 hours until January 2 for emergencies that may happen during the celebration of the New Year.

But Alvin Santillana, chief of the risk reduction management office, is requesting the public to call only for emergency concerns and avoid calling for simple stomach pains and headaches, which are usually the types of calls congesting the hotlines.

All members of this office including the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (Eruf) and all other agencies are on alert to ensure that the welcoming of 2011 is orderly, peaceful and safe.

The mayor’s office is also 24 hours open and ready anytime to be the command post in case they would need to convene and conduct an emergency conference.

There will be 13 ambulances on standby for medical assistance this New Year’s Eve – 10 from ERUF, two from the Basak-Pardo Emergency Rescue (BPER) and one from the BFP.

The Emergency Hotlines are 161 for ERUF, 166 for the Police, 160 for the BFP and 261 6842 for the BPER.

Santillana also encourages the barangays to activate their emergency response units especially on New Year’s Eve.

“Unta open sad ang mga barangay health centers 24 hours and mu-duty ang mga barangay health workers. Aron sila ang unang mu-respond, dili nga maghuwat pa sila sa syudad,” he said.

For minor accidents like minor burns caused by mishandling of firecrackers, the barangays may do the first aid which will also help decongest the hospitals.

Santillana said all barangays have undergone a seminar on first aid, emergency response, fire fighting and other emergency response techniques. They were also given medical emergency kits.

“Next year, the CCDRRMO will focus on empowering the barangays to make their barangay response units activated,” Santillana said. Immediately on the first week of January, he will meet with barangay officials, one barangay each day, to discuss how to respond to emergencies in their barangays.

Meanwhile, the Visayan Electric Company will also provide 24-hour assistance during the New Year Celebration.

“Emergency crews will be on alert, especially on New Year’s Eve and throughout the Holidays to ensure that VECO will be able to respond to any contingency. They will be fielded in strategic locations throughout the franchise area,” VECO said in its advisory.

VECO also assures that contingency measures are in place in case pyrotechnics and firecracker explosions affect its facilities.

The company, however, advised the public not to play with firecrackers and pyrotechnics near its facilities especially electric lines and transformers to avoid power interruptions and worse, fire.

“To enjoy fireworks safely, the public is encouraged to watch displays where professional pyrotechnics expert handle the fireworks. They are most qualified ones to do the work,” said Ian Fabian, VECO Safety Department Manager as he calls for a safe New Year celebration. —  (FREEMAN)