By Claro A. Lanipa
PAGADIAN CITY – The city government of
Pagadian headed by newly elected Mayor Romeo Pulmones in coordination with the
provincial government of Zamboanga del Sur and the Office of Civil Defense
(OCD-9) joined hands in the observance of National Disaster Consciousness Month
with this year’s theme “Ligtas na Bayan, Maunlad na Pamayanan.”
The yearly event started on Thursday with a motorcade
around the major streets in the city, followed by a simple program at the
Executive Building within the city hall complex.
In his message, Civil Defense Officer II Angelito
Casinillo of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said “the presence of everyone
demonstrates that we are united here in the city and province.”
“We all know that Mindanao is not anymore spared by
typhoons, so we have to be always ready and vigilant,” Casinillo said adding “united
we stand, divided we fall.”
On the other hand, newly elected city mayor Romeo Pulmones
said he immediately organized the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Council (CDRRMC) upon his assumption as acting city mayor on April 16, 2013 per
advice of City Interior and Local Government Officer Paulina Gadiano. CDRRMC
was inactive during the previous administration.
Mayor Pulmones further said he would give priority the
activation of the CDRRMC which is now undergoing reorganization. “We will
empower all its members and the Barangay Emergency Response Team (BERT) through
trainings and provision of new equipment to be used in times of disaster.
The event was also participated in by the Philippine
National Police (PNP), 901 Auxillary Reserved Command (ARESCOM), Bureau of Fire
& Protection (BFP), PDRRMC led by Henrito Dogon, Philippine National Red
Cross (PNRC), Black Moon Riders, BERT (City & Provincial) and other city
offices and employees. (PIA9)