Bicolanos active in National Disaster Consciousness Month observance
By Nancy Ibo Mediavillo
LEGAZPI CITY, July 1 (PNA) -- Bicolanos have started to actively participate in the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month this July, Office of Civil Defense Regional Director Raffy Alejandro said.
This year's activities will revolve around the theme: "Pamilya at Pamayanang Handa Katuwang sa Pag-unlad ng Bansa."
The observance of NCM month is based on Executive Order Number 137 made effective in l999.
Alejandro said the month of July is full of activities in connection with disaster consciousness, kicking off with a Holy Mass, motorcade and program on Wednesday.
There will be a series of earthquake and multi-hazard drills and training by local government units in the six provinces of the Bicol Region -- Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catandunaes and Masbate -- including their towns and cities.
The OCD regional head said the annual observance of the NDCM aims to develop a higher sense of awareness among the public on readiness in the face of various forms of calamity that could hit a certain area.
Alejandro said authorities are closely monitoring two active volcanoes -- Mayon in Albay and Bulusan in Sorsogon.
He said that based on the advice of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the rainy season has officially started and there is again the possibility of strong typhoons to hit the region and its neighboring areas.
The OCD Bicol regional director claimed that the Bicolanos have 90-percent awareness on different types of calamities, compared to other regions, especially on typhoons and volcanoes.
He said the Bicolanos are fully aware of the zero-casualty goal and pre-emptive evacuation strategy, which has its roots in the Province of Albay headed by Governor Joey Sarte Salceda.
This best practice of the province, he added, is recognized not only nationally but also internationally.
In fact, the province has received awards and recognition in this field like Hall of Famer in the National GAWAD Kalasag Award.
The province and OCD-Bicol have long joined forces in sharing their knowledge on disaster awareness and preparedness to other local government units, national government agencies, private sector and multinational companies that want to learn disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. (PNA)
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