Sen. “Koko” Pimentel cites Pangasinan as Model LGU on Disaster Response Capability
Lingayen -- Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III lauded the efficient disaster response capability of the provincial government when he led ...
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Lingayen -- Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III lauded the efficient disaster response capability of the provincial government when he led the 10th Disaster Risk Reduction and Multi-Hazard Awareness Forum on June 13 at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center (PTDC), here.
About 350 representatives from local disaster risk reduction and management councils (municipality/city and barangay levels) participated in the forum and vowed to galvanize the advocacy of Sen. Pimentel to empower Filipinos through disaster preparedness and readiness.
.“The enthusiasm and concern for education and awareness in disaster risk reduction and management of the provincial government of Pangasinan is a great example for other provinces to follow,” the Senator remarked, as he thanked Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. for granting his request to present his advocacy in Pangasinan.
“I share the same feeling with the victims of natural calamities in the country because I am also a survivor of two typhoons (Ondoy and Sendong) – the reason why I delve on his advocacy, Pimentel, who chairs the Committees on Justice and Electoral Reform in the Philippine Senate, said.
Earlier, as part of upgrading the disaster response capability of its rescue teams, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC), in partnership with the Philippine Navy and Office of the Civil Defense Region 1, had conducted an Underwater Search and Recovery Seminar last May 19-23.
Some 28 crewmen from the Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) teams of the PDRRMC and six disaster-prone Local Government Units (LGUs) underwent proper training on underwater search and rescue and basic scuba diving to prepare them for actual case scenario.
“We frequently face typhoons, earthquake, volcanic eruptions, landslides, storm surges and climate change -- that’s why we really have to be aware, prepared and take action to possibilities in times of disasters,” Sen. Pimentel, president of PDP-Laban political party, said.
“Information is vital for empowerment. If you know what to do, then you will be empowered to react properly,” he added, citing that disaster risk reduction should be taken as a collective responsibility while the government mitigates the effects of disasters.
“Ang paghahanda ay ilagay natin sa consciousness ng ating mga kababayan through disaster awareness and preparedness orientation in seminars,” he said.
On behalf of Gov. Espino, Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard Baraan thanked Sen. Pimentel for conducting the activity in the province and re-echoed the importance of information, organization, and preparedness and response for disaster risk reduction and management.
“Information is useless when a community-based organization is not capable to respond to disasters,” PA Baraan said as he cited that the present set-up of barangay in the country is not designed to attend to basic community problems – like squatting, peace and order, primary healthcare, environmental sanitation and disaster response.
“Barangays must be reorganized to capacitate them to respond adequately on these problems,” he added.
The activity, held in cooperation with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Pinagbuklod na Diwa ng Pangkabuhayan Foundation, Inc. and the provincial government of Pangasinan, included the following lectures: Project Noah of the Department of Science of Technology (Danilo Flores); Basics on Search and Rescue Operations (Capt. Philippides Jimenez of team 505th Search and Rescue Group); Basics on First Aid in Times of Calamities (Rex Vincent Escano of Philippine Red Cross); Basics on Fire Protection (Dir. Rolando Bandilla, Jr., Chief of Bureau of Fire and Protection); and Basics on Psychological Aid after Calamities (Thelma Barerra, Program Dir. of Mental Health and Psychological Support – National Center for Mental Health).
About 350 representatives from local disaster risk reduction and management councils (municipality/city and barangay levels) participated in the forum and vowed to galvanize the advocacy of Sen. Pimentel to empower Filipinos through disaster preparedness and readiness.
.“The enthusiasm and concern for education and awareness in disaster risk reduction and management of the provincial government of Pangasinan is a great example for other provinces to follow,” the Senator remarked, as he thanked Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. for granting his request to present his advocacy in Pangasinan.
“I share the same feeling with the victims of natural calamities in the country because I am also a survivor of two typhoons (Ondoy and Sendong) – the reason why I delve on his advocacy, Pimentel, who chairs the Committees on Justice and Electoral Reform in the Philippine Senate, said.
Earlier, as part of upgrading the disaster response capability of its rescue teams, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC), in partnership with the Philippine Navy and Office of the Civil Defense Region 1, had conducted an Underwater Search and Recovery Seminar last May 19-23.
Some 28 crewmen from the Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) teams of the PDRRMC and six disaster-prone Local Government Units (LGUs) underwent proper training on underwater search and rescue and basic scuba diving to prepare them for actual case scenario.
“We frequently face typhoons, earthquake, volcanic eruptions, landslides, storm surges and climate change -- that’s why we really have to be aware, prepared and take action to possibilities in times of disasters,” Sen. Pimentel, president of PDP-Laban political party, said.
“Information is vital for empowerment. If you know what to do, then you will be empowered to react properly,” he added, citing that disaster risk reduction should be taken as a collective responsibility while the government mitigates the effects of disasters.
“Ang paghahanda ay ilagay natin sa consciousness ng ating mga kababayan through disaster awareness and preparedness orientation in seminars,” he said.
On behalf of Gov. Espino, Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard Baraan thanked Sen. Pimentel for conducting the activity in the province and re-echoed the importance of information, organization, and preparedness and response for disaster risk reduction and management.
“Information is useless when a community-based organization is not capable to respond to disasters,” PA Baraan said as he cited that the present set-up of barangay in the country is not designed to attend to basic community problems – like squatting, peace and order, primary healthcare, environmental sanitation and disaster response.
“Barangays must be reorganized to capacitate them to respond adequately on these problems,” he added.
The activity, held in cooperation with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Pinagbuklod na Diwa ng Pangkabuhayan Foundation, Inc. and the provincial government of Pangasinan, included the following lectures: Project Noah of the Department of Science of Technology (Danilo Flores); Basics on Search and Rescue Operations (Capt. Philippides Jimenez of team 505th Search and Rescue Group); Basics on First Aid in Times of Calamities (Rex Vincent Escano of Philippine Red Cross); Basics on Fire Protection (Dir. Rolando Bandilla, Jr., Chief of Bureau of Fire and Protection); and Basics on Psychological Aid after Calamities (Thelma Barerra, Program Dir. of Mental Health and Psychological Support – National Center for Mental Health).
