Use gym, church as evacuation centers

CEBU, Philippines - In preparation for the onset of the rainy season, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) convened yesterday all the local disaster team officers from the different component cities and municipalities of the Province of Cebu.

During the meeting, PDRRM chief Neil Sanchez discouraged the use of schools as evacuation centers during calamities.

He suggested that other facilities like gymnasiums, churches and warehouses in the localities can be used as alternate centers.

“It’s a matter of involving these people in the program,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez explained that schools cannot be used for along period so as not to hamper classes.

Sanchez, however, said that affected residents are already conscious of what to do when evacuation is needed.

“It’s just a matter of strengthening the barangay-based structure,” he said.

The Provincial Board earlier called on all local government units to “reactivate and invigorate” dormant Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMC).

Also discussed during yesterday’s meeting was the communication system.

“We need to have uniform system that can inform down the line as far as early warning is concern,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez is hoping that the next administration under governor-elect Hilario Davide III will give focus on this problem in the next few months.

Sanchez stressed that because of different communication systems individually adopted by LGUs, it resulted in contradicting reports from the municipal or city level to the provincial level.

The PDRRM has also identified at least 14 LGUs that have landslide prone areas.

But Sanchez said these LGUs have already put in place mitigating measures to address the problem.

Sanchez also reminded local DRRM officers about utilizing their respective calamity funds in the first 72 hours when calamity hit before Capitol comes in.

The PDRRMO also urged LGUs to appoint a permanent local DRRM officer so that those who are already trained cannot be easily replaced especially when a new local chief executive is elected.

The Department of Interior and Local Government is set to issue guidelines on the appointment of permanent local DRRM officer. (FREEMAN)