Celso, CDCC set purchase of disaster rescue equipment
Mayor Celso Lobregat presides over the meeting of the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) in City Hall recently to discuss about the acquisition of rescue and relief operations equipment. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
Efforts to ensure the implementation of an efficient incident response program are top in the priority of the City Disaster Coordinating Council, as the city just like any other area in the country faces a variety of threats that can impact Zamboangueños in many and sometimes unexpected ways.
The CDCC led by Mayor Celso Lobregat the other day met to discuss measures how to utilize the P15 million allocated for the purchase of rescue and relief equipment, as mandated in a resolution approved by the body and the City Council.
The Council, during the meeting decided on the details of the purchase that include 3 rescue boats, 4 outboard motors, tents, portalets, portable generators, portable water pumps and handheld radio sets; accessories such as life vests, life rings, ropes, rechargeable sport light, megaphones, rain boots, rain coats, sleeping mats, water containers, kitchen utensils, flash lights, folding stretchers, cadaver bags, electrical supplies, medical supplies and first aid kits and food supplies that include rice, noodles, sardines and other foodstuff.
Mayor Lobregat said the different rescue equipment and relief goods will ensure an organized and competent rescue and relief operations in times of calamities or disasters such as flooding, fire and other traditional threats.
The country especially Luzon and the Metro Manila areas were battered by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng that caused serioius damages to lives and properties. Zamboanga incurred minimal damages as several families were also rendered homeless due to flooding spawned by the typhoon.
Climate scientists have warned that these events could become more frequent and more severe in the future, increasing the risk to public safety, and further threatening critical physical and cyber infrastructure.
Other than the resolution appropriating P15 million for the purchase of rescue and relief equipment, the CDCC also 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.
The amount was personally turned over to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, who heads the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) when the latter came to the city to grace the main program celebrating Fiesta Hermosa 2009 last October 11.
The amounts are taken from the city’s calamity funds. (Sheila Covarrubias)