Emergency team in establishments get nod

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has passed an ordinance that mandate establishments in the city to create an emergency response team.

Called the Emergency Response Team in all Establishments and Offices in the City of Cebu,” the ordinance covers commercial, educational, and industrial establishments.

Councilor David Tumulak, the author of the ordinance, said the public, establishments in particular, need to prepare for disasters especially with the unpredictable changes in weather.

The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 says the state recognizes the capacities of local government units and communities “in mitigating and preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the impact of disasters.”

In 2011, the Philippines tops the list of countries most frequently hit by natural disasters like typhoon, especially during the monsoon season. An average of 20 typhoons enter the country each year.

In 2012, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction listed the Philippines as among the Asian countries worst hit by disaster.

In 2013, Cebu City was among the places in Region 7 that was affected badly when a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit Bohol in September. Several buildings were damaged, including the Cebu City Medical Center, which had to be evacuated.

Two months later, the country grappled with its response to the wrath of supertyphoon Yolanda, which left thousands homeless and dead. Local government units in northern Cebu that were in the path of the typhoon were among those devastated.

The ordinance passed in Cebu City will require emergency response team to formulate and implement disaster preparedness plans for their office and coordinate with government agencies like the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CCDRRMC) and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD).

The Council believes that collaboration between government and private sector is needed to build and strengthen the capability and preparedness of the community in responding to the different threats and hazards of disasters. JMO (FREEMAN)