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Monday, July 2, 2012

Nat’l Disaster Consciousness Month kicks off w/ a thousand participants


By: Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 02 (PIA)- - an estimated crowd of 2,000 actively participated in the launching and kick off activity of the “National Disaster Consciousness Month” (NDCM) held Monday morning, here.

        A holy mass held 7:00 in the morning at the Pasonanca Parish Church in barangay Pasonanca untied the first day of the NDCM celebration after which a motorcade immediately followed with convergence point in the same barangay.

        At least 60 various offices from the national and local government, AFP, PNP, to include the medical sector, academe and the private sector cheerfully participated in the motorcade.

        Some of the participants “showed off” their complete emergency response gear/uniform, while others displayed their emergency gadget during the motorcade which effectively caught the attention of the public during the almost two hours motorcade passing through the city’s thoroughfares.

The motorcade ended at the covered court of the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative where a short program was held.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director (RD) Adriano Fuego during the program said that he is happy that the kick off activity gathered support and participation of various sector.

Emphasizing on this year’s theme: “Ligtas na bayan, Maunlad na Pamayanan” which underscores the important role of managing the risks involved in both natural and man-made disasters in securing economic development, Fuego said-“economic growth is not simply a question of production and distribution of goods, but rather it is a question of the maintenance of the safety of the population, the source of the workforce, from the dangers of calamities.”

 He also emphasized on maximizing citizen involvement through education in order to promote awareness on hazards and safety.

RD Fuego said it is better to invest in disaster preparedness and prevention rather than on response.

“Preparedness and prevention is usually cheaper than response expenses, which is way beyond existing budget intended for it,” he exclaimed.

The NDCM kicked off activity also emphasized on the three other activities which that are being celebrated this July-Nutrition Month, Blood Donor Month and Science and Technology Week.

“This is a Four event wrapped into one,” Fuego said

“We are here gathered, showing that different activities can be launched in unity, collaboratively,” he said.

The program ended with the distribution of Five awards: Plaque for Biggest participation (in the motorcade) was awarded to Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Zamboanga City Chapter; award for best emergency response uniform was given to the Bureau of Fire Protection; Best emergency gadget display went to the Philippine Air Force; Most jovial troop award was aged by the PRC and most orderly group was awarded to Labuan District Hospital.(JPA PIA9-ZBST)