Disaster preparedness drive needs a boost–Dizon

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) and the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) are enjoined to launch an information, education, and communication (IEC) advocacy program on disaster preparedness.

Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon made the call to help equip the residents, teachers, and students with appropriate knowledge and skills in disaster management through the IEC materials.

The materials, he said, should be distributed to all barangays and public schools in the city.

He said the information drive on disaster preparedness needs to be intensified.

Also, the councilor directed CDRRMC and ABC to detail preparedness and prevention tips before, during, and after a disaster like typhoon, earthquake, flood, fire, landslide, and health-related outbreak, among others in the IEC materials.

Aside from the tips, the materials should also include the importance of preparing a 72-hour survival bag and what it should contain as guide to better prepare for calamities, and stickers indicating the complete emergency hotlines of responders.

“One vital component of disaster preparedness is adequate knowledge and information on how to be prepared against disasters in order to save or reduce the risk of losing lives and properties,” said Dizon.

Dizon said it is crucial to bring down the campaign to the barangays and schools through IEC advocacy program to equip teachers, students, and residents in the grassroots with knowledge, skills, and right attitude in preparing for a disaster or preventing a human-made calamity, such as conflagration or an extensive fire.

Disaster preparedness, he said, refers to measures taken to prepare for and reduce the effects of disasters.

The Philippines is one of the most high-risk countries in the world for experiencing natural disasters. The list of possible natural disasters includes earthquakes, floods, mudslides, typhoons, and volcanic eruptions.  KQD (FREEMAN)