Mayor’s office urged to convene multi-agency emergency task force

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Rey Gealon has filed a resolution asking the Office of the Mayor to convene a multi-agency task force to establish a protocol for emergency response to prevent a similar incident in Baltimore where a bridge collapsed after it was hit by a cargo vessel.

On March 26, Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed at 1:30 a.m. after a huge vessel rammed into it. Six people have been missing and are presumed dead after the major bridge collapsed as the Coast Guard ended its active search-and-rescue operation for the missing construction workers who were on the bridge when it happened.

Gealon’s resolution highlighted that bridge collapsed after a container vessel collided with one of its supports.

“While it is unfortunate that there are casualties of such incident, the quick work of authorities in closing the bridge saved many lives. However, the collapse will greatly affect the economy as both land and water vehicles have no access of the area,” reads his resolution.

In line with this, Gealon said that guidelines must be created in order to avert similar disaster as well as a protocol for emergency response adequate and commensurate of a disaster of that magnitude.

Further, Gealon is seeking the approval of the council to request that the Office of the Mayor convene a multi-agency task force consisting of CCLEC, MARINA, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine National Police - Maritime Group, among other stakeholders and concerned agencies, with the objective of crafting guidelines to prevent disaster likened to that of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore USA.

The same multi-agency is to establish a protocol for emergency response adequate and commensurate of a disaster with such anticipated impact. —/FPL (FREEMAN)