By Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY, APR. 3(PIA)---The Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Government has allotted P50-million of its Calamity Fund for the 2012 Disaster Preparedness Plan of the province.
Zamboanga del Norte Governor Rolando E. Yebes who is the Chairman of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) said the fund will be utilized in the implementation of various programs and projects as part of its preparation for any calamity that may hit the province.
Gov. Yebes said among the equipment to be purchased include rubber boats and other rescue equipment which he deemed necessary during rescue operation in times of calamity.
The Governor said, these equipment is necessary as rescue workers usually find a hard time rescuing flood victims who are sometimes stranded at the roof of their homes due to lack of recue equipment like rubber boats.
Among the projects considered by the Governor is the construction of multi-purpose covered courts which will be used as temporary shelter for the evacuees during emergency situations.
Yebes said the Zanorte PDRRMC has adopted this measure due to the prevailing unpredictable weather condition.
At the same time, the Governor wants the people to be always prepared for any eventuality, though he assures the calamity victims of assistance from the Provincial Government.
Earlier, the PDRRMC has reminded all Local Government Units in the province to adopt safety measures in their locality based on the geo-hazard map released by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources indicating areas vulnerable to flashflood and landslides in their area.
It maybe recalled that early this year, several barangays in Dapitan City were flooded and the rescue workers had a difficulty in retrieving flood victims due to unavailability of rubber boats that will be used in the rescue operation.(ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)
