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)