The Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) has begun putting together a contingency plan in the event of a major earthquake.
“Updating the plan is an ongoing process with collaboration with the private sector because their participation is essential to the plan,” explained CDRRMO head Donna Magno during a meeting at City Hall last week.
The plan also includes the use of an exposure data module, which is used to establish records pertaining to building types; including a logistic cluster; creating a cluster pertaining to clearing operations and protection; activating an incident management team; among other topics.
Last week, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas called 2019 a “very good year” in terms of safety and resilience. “The city ensured that Ilonggos and visitors alike will have a community that is safe and secure for everyone,” he stated.
“Our efforts have not gone unnoticed,” the mayor noted. “The whole country watched as we were featured on CNN Philippines as a model city for resilience.”
He also pointed out the city being recognized as the “Most Resilient Highly-Urbanized City” in the country; continuing a partnership with the National Resilience Council (NRC); receiving the P-alert system, an experimental network that is said to provide early warning ahead of a seismic activity; signing an agreement pertaining to a memorandum of cooperation with Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction, the Manila Observatory, and the NRC to promote knowledge-based capacity-building programs; among other initiatives./WDJ

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