Disaster office lacks tools

CEBU, Philippines - The lack of equipment and other resources to back Talisay City's awareness campaign on disasters continues to plague the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Christopher Estroban, LDRRMO officer-in-charge, told The FREEMAN that their office is hounded by the lack of tools and manpower, making it hard for them to respond during emergencies and disasters.

"Daghan kaayo og kulang diri, sama sa tawo ug equipment, labi na mga hand-held radios nga mao'y pinakagamit kaayo sa tanan," he said.

Estroban said when calamity strikes, all communication lines, including power, would bog down.

"Ang problema man gud sa atong office kay naay hand-held radio pero limitado ra ang signal, di kaabot sa bukid nga dapit kay wa'y repeater. Unta mao'y pinakaimportante nga lugar ang bukid kay sagad motomaw anha ang landslide," he added.

Talisay's LDRRMO has one disaster truck fully equipped with life-saving apparatus and an ambulance.

But Estroban said they need more trained personnel and equipment for disaster response.

Estroban said he already instructed all barangays to harmonize their frequency to one channel so that every communication sent can also be received by a neighboring barangay which can then respond to the emergency.

Last year, Talisay set aside P29 million specifically for LDRRMO. This increased to P34 million this year.

But Estroban said the budget cannot suffice.

"Kulang ra kaayo na ang maong budget tungod sa ka-dako sa area sa Talisay nga gi-compose of 22 ka mga barangay ug nagkadako ang population niini."

Under the law, LDDRMO's budget shall be equal to at least five percent of the local government unit's annual budget.

Estroban said he has informed the City Council about his plan to purchase more equipment, including the immediate installation of an operation center.

Meanwhile, Estroban is implementing a Barangay Enhancement Response and Emergency program which aims is train barangay officials, including tanods and health workers, on disaster preparedness. — Renan R. Alangilan of BANAT News