Balabagan, LANAO DEL SUR- Around two hundred
fifty (250) residents of the coastal barangay of Banago in this town,
considered as tsunami prone area, are slated to participate on Saturday (July
23) in the conduct of “Community Flood/Tsunami Drill” sponsored by the Office
of Civil Defense-ARMM.
In a brief orientation, 18 July 2016 held at
Sitio Dapdap, OCD-ARMM Operations Section Chief Engr. Amier Ashan Aplal
discussed the scenario with residents along with partners, Balabagan MDRRMC
headed by Chairman and Mayor Edna V. Ogka-Benito, Barangay LGUs of Banago and
Narra, PNP- Municipal Police Station- Balabagan, Bureau of Fire
Protection-Balabagan, Department of Education-Balabagan and the Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP).
“In the drill scenario, this spot is going to
suffer a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in which later on will generate tsunami along
the coastal areas,” said Aplal.
Aplal said the activity seeks to strengthen
the mechanism for coordination, as well as the interoperability of key players.
“We would want to intensify local
communities’ preparedness and increase the commitment of local government units
in building safe communities,” said Aplal.
Myrna J. Angot, OIC of the Office of Civil
Defense-ARMM, said one of the objectives of the drill is to pursue “community
resiliency” and to test the local government’s preparedness in responding to
emergency situations.
“This is to prevent hazards from having such
a devastating impact and that enhancing the resilience of the community in
disasters like earthquake and tsunami is a responsibility of all authorities
and stakeholders involved,” said Angot.
In a separate interview, PHIVOLCS Cotabato
Station Head Engr. Rainier Amilbahar, said the drill is significant because it
provides the locales the basics of what to do during calamities.
“The drill is aimed at increasing and
ensuring the safety of the people during and after the incident, evacuation of
the affected constituents, with focus on women, children, elderly and persons
with disabilities,” said Amilbahar.
Accordingly, the coastlines in both Lanao del
Sur and Maguindanao along the Moro Gulf, are dotted with vast communities that
were struck by a deadly tsunami in the evening of August 17, 1976.
Meanwhile, Aplal said that in the case of
flooding incident, one simple preparation to help you get ready is learning the
flood warning system within your area and make sure you know how to properly
evacuate.
“Be prepared to evacuate before water levels
rise and potentially cut off evacuation routes,” said Aplal.
The “Community Flood/Tsunami Drill” is still
part of the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month 2016 that
carries the theme “"Kahandaan at Pagtugon sa Sakuna, Tungkulin ng Bawat
Isa".
(Gilmhar A. Lao-Mindanao
Expose’ With Photo by: Jelly Datucali)
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