CDCC sets aside P15M for rescue, relief equipment
Intended as a proactive measure for disaster prevention and preparedness, the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) on Wednesday appropriated P15 million for the purchase of equipment and supplies that will help ensure a prompt and smooth disaster response.
Mayor Celso Lobregat, CDCC chairman said the amount will be utilized for the purchase of rescue and relief equipment such as but not limited to rescue boats, boat trailers, evacuation tents, portalets, portable generators, food supplies and other supplies such as water containers, sleeping mats, raincoats, rubber boats and cadaver bags.
Lobregat convened the CDCC Wednesday afternoon where the group discussed about the declaration of President Gloria Arroyo placing the entire country in a state of calamity.
The President’s declaration, issued Oct. 2, is in view of the devastation wrought in Metro Manila and several provinces by typhoon Ondoy and in anticipation of typhoon Pepeng. The declaration authorized local government units not affected by the calamities to utilize a portion of their calamity fund to provide financial assistance to affected LGUs as provided under sections 5 and 6 of the Rules and Regulations implementing Republic Act 8185.
Prior to the resolution appropriating P15 million out of the city’s calamity funds, the CDCC, through another resolution authored by Councilor Abdurahman Nuño, allocated P1.5 million as assistance to LGUs affected by tropical storms “Ondoy” and “Pepeng”. The amount will be given to 6 LGUs at P250,000 each and these include the Province of Aurora; Marikina City; Dagupan City in Pangasinan; Trece Martires in Cavite; Santiago City in Isabela and Calamba City, Laguna.
Nuño also sponsored the second resolution for the purchase of the rescue and relief equipment.
Lobregat said with the presidential declaration, the CDCC should take the opportunity of appropriating an amount out of the city’s calamity funds to purchase needed rescue and relief operations equipment as a proactive measure for disaster prevention and disaster preparedness.
The amount will be given to 6 LGUs at P250,000 each and these include the Province of Aurora; Marikina City; Dagupan City in Pangasinan; Trece Martires in Cavite; Santiago City in Isabela and Calamba City, Laguna.
Lobregat said with the presidential declaration, the CDCC should take the opportunity of appropriating an amount out of the city’s calamity funds to purchase needed rescue and relief operations equipment as a proactive measure for disaster prevention and disaster preparedness.
Following the approval of the two resolutions Wednesday, Mayor Lobregat Thursday requested the City Council to convene for an urgent special session to approve the two measures approved by the CDCC. (Sheila Covarrubias)