Disaster response teams intensify trainings

CEBU, Philippines - Around 58 barangay disaster response teams underwent disaster brigade trainings recently with the aim to strengthen and improve the response units in Cebu City.

 This is also in preparation for the expected onset of the dry spell phenomenon in June, said Alvin Santillana, operations chief of the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

 The City Council has already declared Cebu City under a state of preparedness to appropriately spend the allocated funds for the dry spell.

The council is setting aside P5.2 million for agricultural equipment and veterinary medicines to aid farmers in at least 31 upland barangays.

 Each barangay has 100 volunteers trained for the search and rescue, logistics, peace and order, transportation and evacuation, fire fighting, first aid, among others.

 Of the 80 barangays, there are only 20 units that are actively responding to calamities, whether man-made or natural.

 Some of these barangays are Sta. Cruz, Sto.Niño, Apas, Quiot, Inayawan, Sambag II, Mabolo, labangon, Pit-os and Basak Pardo.

 â€œIf dunay katalagman dili na mabug-atan ang syudad. Ang CCDRRMC would only manage, guide, coordinate and communicate with the barangay response teams. Sila na mismo ang moresponde sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka barangay,” Santillana said.  

 Strengthening the risk reduction and management system is in compliance with Republic Act 10121 (Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010).  (FREEMAN)