OCD keen on disaster preparedness programs

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is committed on raising consciousness regarding calamities to prevent casualties during disasters.

As mandated by Executive Order 137, the OCD is now observing National Disaster Consciousness Month themed “Pamilya at Pamayanang Handa, Katuwang sa Pag-unlad ng Bansa”.

During the recent unified flag raising ceremony at the regional government center here hosted by the OCD, regional director Josefina Timoteo took the chance to impart the their programs to other agencies.

“We thank you for the unity and support in keeping our country safe,” Timoteo said to her colleagues.

She also said that preparedness is an advantage since the Philippines is prone to all kinds of calamities due to its demographical location. “Baha, pagsabog ng bulkan, tsunami, lindol... Name it, we have it,” Timoteo noted. Human induced disasters like fire, red tide, terrorism and spread of diseases are also some of the threats, she said.

With these, the OCD urged all Filipino families to get involved and capacitated in the programs of the government. “Maliit man silang bahagi ng pamayanan, malaki ang kanilang gampanin upang maging ligtas ang bawat isa,” she said. She also encouraged them to discuss simple precautionary measures inside their homes to raise awareness in their children. “As of now, malaki na ang antas ng kaalaman ng bawat pamilya but we still never stop in disseminating information,” added Timoteo. The OCD is also conducting different kinds of calamity drills to extend the level of awareness of people. They are also set to conduct the national simultaneous earthquake drill this month in preparation for the forthcoming ‘Big One’.

“Hindi sana mangyari ito [Big One], not in our lifetime. But we cannot suspend calamities. All we can do is guard ourselves from these hazards,” Timoteo stressed.