CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Interior and Local Government in Lapu-Lapu City introduced a disaster manual called "Project Listo" which is designed by local government academy.
The manual is set to be launched by the end of February, together with the cities of Mandaue and Cebu, through Cebu provincial government.
"The manuals are also designed for local chief executives, DILG officers, chief of police and fire marshals," said Johnjoan Mende, department head of the city's DILG, during a news conference.
Among the features of the manual is a set of protocols and resource tools during typhoons. This is because, as Mende said, the country is prone to typhoons year after year.
Charts for typhoon preparedness, response and storm monitoring are also provided for in the said manual.
Mende said a 48-hour advisory should be given or announced by the local government units prior to the estimated approach of typhoon in the area.
Aside from the protocols and procedure presented in the manual, codes with corresponding color shades are also featured.
The Alpha code is in color yellow, the typhoon is 50 to 100 kilometers away from the storm's perimeter and will expose the area to low risk.
The Bravo signal is under the color orange that means one to 50 kilometers away from the Charlie perimeter.
Charlie code is in color red which means the typhoon is within the area or the place is at high risk.
The handbook for typhoon preparedness was under the coordination of the Department of Science and Technology and will also give advisories, according to Mende.
"The DILG-7 would relay the advisories to respective officers in local government units and it is our task to inform the local chief executives as well as our risk reduction management officer in Lapu-Lapu City," he said.
If information or warning advisories would not be communicated, Mende said his department will be accountable for their mistake.
"Otherwise, manubag mi, we'll be accountable ngano nga dili mi ka-serve sa maong information and in fact, the protocols are quite strict in a way nga we need proofs of receipt," Mende said.
One major activity expected under Project Listo is a jamboree for the young people to drum up consciousness on disaster risk reduction and management. It will be called "Wemborree."
"Wala pa hinuon na, still on the works under this project, hopefully ma-target nato by summer," Mende said. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (FREEMAN)