DISASTER PREPAREDNESS DRIVE INTENSIFIED
The Olongapo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), Philippine National Red Cross-Olongapo Chapter and the Olongapo City Police Office recently conducted earthquake drills with the participation of city government offices, private sector entities, hospitals and schools.
The synchronized drills which lasted for about two minutes and 37 seconds were conducted at the PNP Camp Cabal Headquarters with the participation of the Bureau of Jail Management & Penology (BJMP) and the inmates, St. Joseph High School and at Olongapo City National High School.
“We should always be ready for disasters especially earthquakes for they may cause various catastrophes such as tsunamis, land-slides, rockslides and even fires. Looking back what happened to Japan, Turkey and to other areas in the country, we must also prepare for worst-case scenarios,” said DRRMO Chief Angie layug in an interview at a local radio program.
It can be recalled that in line with disaster preparedness, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) in cooperation with the DRRMO also installed a “Strong Motion Accelerograph,” a type of seismograph that can monitor and record even the slightest tremor or earth movement in the city.
Moreover, with this year’s Fire Prevention Month theme, “Makiisa, Makiaalam, at Makipagtulungan Upang Sunog ay Maiwasan,” the DRRMO and the Bureau of Fire Protection are also doing an intensive information dissemination campaign in the city regarding fire prevention and disaster preparedness.