CSF conducts flood simulation drill

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Local Government of San Fernando, through its City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office conducted a flood simulation drill on October 13 at Barangay San Pedro Cutud in line with the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s advocacy program dubbed “Operation Listo: Listong Pamayanan.”

Department of Interior and Local Government City Director Engr. Algy Canlas said the activity aims to strengthen the disaster preparedness and resiliency of different flood prone areas; as well as to test the effectiveness of the local government’s flood management plans.

“Napakalaking tulong na inilunsad sa atin ito, kasi alam naman natin na ang Syudad San Fernando partikular na ang Brgy San Pedro Cutud ay malapit sa pagbaha sa tuwing panahon ng tag-ulan. Sa pamamagitan nito ay mas lalong malalaman ng mga residente yung tamang procedures sa paghahanda at pati na rin sa pagresponde ng mga disaster volunteers ng barangay. At kung may kakulangan man, malalaman natin kung ano pa yung dapat iimprove,” Canlas said.

In an effort to make the simulation realistic, personnel from the CDRRMO together with the Community Disaster Volunteers in Barangay

San Pedro Cutud conducted a typhoon scenario wherein the whole barangay got flooded and the residents were needed to be rescued.

Residents were rescued by the disaster volunteers and they brought with them clothes and other important things before heading to the evacuation center located in Brgy Saguin covered court. This was followed by the distribution of relief goods and sleeping bags.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Raymond Del Rosario said they are now seeing the positive results of the local government unit’s continuous efforts in informing and training the Fernandino community on disaster preparation and response.

“Masasabi nating handa ang Syudad San Fernando sa kung ano mang kalamidad dahil hindi tayo tumitigil sa pagbibigay ng mga trainings sa ating mga rescuers. Gayundin sa ating mga barangay, sinisikap nating makapagbigay ng trainings at seminars sa kanila dahil napakahalaga na ang barangay mismo ay handa dahil sila ang aming kasangga,” Del Rosario said.

For his part, Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago encouraged everyone to participate in the activities of the government regarding disaster preparedness considering that emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere.

“Ang lahat ng trainings na ibinibigay ng gobyerno patungkol sa kahandaan sa oras ng kalamidad ay napakahalaga, dahil hindi lahat kaya ng gobyerno, kailangan ang partisipasyon ng bawat isa upang mas lalo tayong handa na harapin ang mga kalamidad na maaring tumama sa atin,” Santiago said. Meanwhile, certificates of appreciation were given to Barangay San Pedro Cutud, Barangay Saguin and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for their contributions in making the activity possible and successful.

Also present during the activity were DILG Provincial Director Myrvi Apostol Fabia, Barangay Captains Zoilo Castro (San Pedro) and Cristina Lagman (Saguin).

— CSF-CIO