Councilor Alcover wants  earthquake disaster plan

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. has proposed an ordinance creating guidelines for earthquake preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation of the city.

The proposed measure is now pending before the council’s committee on laws, ordinances, and styling; committee on disaster risk reduction management, safety, and climate change adaptation; and committee on budget and finance for review.

“Earthquake cannot be foreseen and prevented but the effects thereof can be mitigated through holistic approach of preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation of an affected area,” read the proposed ordinance.

“Guided with principles under the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan (NDRRMP) for 2020-2030 and National Disaster Response Plan for Earthquake and Tsunami (NDRP) of 2018, Cebu City government deems it necessary to enact this Ordinance to flesh out the said principles,” it added.

As provided in the proposed ordinance, following the principles or concepts delineated under the NDRRMP for 2020-2030, the guidelines for earthquake preparedness include monthly information, education, and communication campaign; earthquake preparedness handbook which shall be created by the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRMC); mandatory earthquake drill to all public and private establishments within the city; mandatory hard hats for all public and private establishments; earthquake rescue vehicles prepared by the city government that are equipped with rescue paraphernalia; earthquake response volunteers that are primarily barangay-based volunteers; evacuation plan created by the CCDRRMC; and building inspection conducted by the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) together with the Office of the Building Official (OBO).

For earthquake response, the guidelines are Rapid Damage and Needs Analysis (RDANA) which shall be immediately conducted by the CCDRRMO in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS); rapid evacuation as well as search and rescue operations to be implemented and conducted by the CCDRRMO; information dissemination through the Public Information Office (PIO); social control and order; social relief operations through the DSWS; and emergency medical services through the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) and City Health Department (CHD).

Meanwhile, the guidelines for recovery and rehabilitation after an earthquake include post-disaster assessment which shall be conducted by the CCDRRMO together with the DSWS, Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) and OBO; economic recovery program wherein the city government may grant financial subsidy to small entrepreneurs and Small-and-Medium-Enterprises (SMEs) that are severely affected; infrastructure rehabilitation or reconstruction led by the DEPW; and financial assistance program to all qualified victims.

Section 6 provides that the Office of the Mayor together with the CCDRRMC, and the Cebu City Planning and Development Office (CCPDO) shall lead the crafting of earthquake preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation plan for the city.

In crafting the said plan, it shall consider the aspects of social, economic, or financial impact thereof.

For the implementation of the ordinance, the charging of funds is authorized to be charged in the General Fund and/or to the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund (LDRRMF), as the case may be. — GMR (FREEMAN)