Being pro-active during typhoon seasons

Tropical depression ‘Gardo’and super typhoon ‘Hinnamnor’ have simultaneously entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility recently. Despite the fact that they were spotted up up north of the country, Pampanga's Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) have prepared for the two weather disturbances for the possible effects in the provi nce.

All members of the PDRRMC were directed to prepare equipment for possible search and rescue operations and goods for any relief distribution that may come along the way while the weather occurences exist.

The preparation efforts of the PDRRMC is laudable. This is the very essence of disaster preparedness and that is being prepared come what may. Operational readiness after all is the goal for we never know when disaster strikes or how would a calamity would affect communities.

Before it happens, there is no better way to adress any phenomena or occurence than being prepared. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

May the PDRRMC, under the tutelage of the energetic and reliable Angie Blanco continue to be the guardians of safety and welfare of kapampangans.

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The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is intensifying its implementation of the law mandating the use of seatbelts in motor vehicles. The law Republic Act 8750 or the Seat Belts Use Act took effect as early as 1999 but it still pose a challenge to law enforcement agencies because of the huge number of violators of the law.

Seatbelts were made to protect lives and limbs in case of any accident on the road. These lifesavers have been tested eversince and there have been studies to determine their reliability and effectiveness during vehicle col l i si on.

According to studies, wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of death among drivers and front seat occupants by 45-50% and the risk of death and serious injuries among rear seat occupants by 25%." These figures are quite signifcant in terms of safety awareness to motorists.

No matter the inconveniences motorists may have in wearing seatbelts, we cannot simply sacrifice lives on the road. Its very easy to wear seatbelts if we are only aware of the repercussions of not wearing them during travel.

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