COTABATO CITY-- With the aim to
reduce the risk during a calamity, the City Government of Cotabato enhances its
communication and coordination measures by participating in the Smart Infocast
Program.
This training, sponsored by the
USAID Be Secure, is a significant communication support to reduce climate and
weather risk by allowing for the timely dissemination of weather bulletins and
emergency advisories directly to the barangay
level. It also helps circulate reports and press releases for public
information and awareness as well as media updates.
The city government sends its
Secretary to the Mayor, DRRM Action Officer, and its Information Office for
them to be oriented and get a hand on training on the computer program that
will link these key officials directly to PAGASA's information system.
Through this training, they will
get direct access to PAGASA and be able to receive weather forecasts and
updates through text messages for four to six a day when there is a typhoon and
twice in a normal day. These messages will also contain preparedness actions to
be taken to reduce the risk.
This way, the barangays will be
easily informed about how to prepare for a coming typhoon or any calamity and
be able to promptly assist their residents for whatever their needs to stay
safe.
Cotabato City, though not
frequently affected by strong typhoons, is still identified as a disaster prone
area considering that it is below sea level.
Heavy rains that last for a
couple of days can result to inundation in almost 90% of the barangays in the
city and sometimes cause the residents to flee their homes and temporarily stay
inside evacuation centers.
With the help from its partners
like the USAID, the city government is able to train its responders to become
well equipped with knowledge on how to be prepared for any calamity.
The training is scheduled,
September 9 at Makati City, Metro Manila. (HALIMA K. SATOL-IBRAHIM/MINDANAO
EXPOSE’)
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