by Franklin P.
Gumapon
POLANCO, Zamboanga
del Norte, July 26 (PIA) - - Around 300 high school students participated in
the disaster preparedness forum and drill held recently at the Polanco National
High School (PNHS) in this town.
The forum speakers
were composed of Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-9 Regional Director Adriano
Fuego, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Administration
(PAG-ASA)-9 Chief Meteorological Officer Maribel “Hasanah” Enriquez, Philippine
Information Agency (PIA)-9 Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga and Dr. Victor
Bernido of OCD-9.
Director Fuego
tackled the different kinds of disasters that pose danger to life and
properties. He also presented the areas/places in the country that are prone to
natural disasters like flooding, mudslides, tsunamis and others.
Meteorological
Officer Enriquez, on the other hand, discussed climate change and its adverse
effects on the environment.
For her part,
Director Edaga challenged the participants to always apply and remember what
they have learned from the activity in order to protect their lives in case
natural disaster comes.
PNHS School
Principal Arnulfo G. Subebe also expressed his gratitude to OCD, PAG-ASA and
PIA for holding such a forum in his school knowing that Polanco is one of the
flood-prone areas in Zamboanga del Norte.
It has two big
rivers that meet near the poblacion area. When these rivers swell, floodwaters
would inundate the town proper and other low-lying barangays in the
municipality.
A big flood
occurred here last year leaving a sizeable damage to crops and livestock.
(FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)