BY JENNIFER C. TILOS
DUMAGUETE CITY,
Apr 16 (PIA) -- The Department of Interior Local Government (DILG) leads
in the orientation on disaster preparedness manual yesterday with about a
hundred local government units (LGUs), academe, civil society among others in
Dumaguete City to know its level of readiness and strengthen the local
disaster plans.
The DILG saw the need to assist the local chief executives in
terms of disaster preparedness action, since they are appointed as the front
liners in the community during calamities, as mandated by law, said DILG
provincial director Dennis Quiñones.
DILG pursues to strengthen the capacity while maintaining the
active participation of LGUs in responding to calamities and disasters in their
communities.
Under R.A. 10121, the LGU is mandated to ensure safety and
resiliency of communities to face the challenges of disasters.
The operation manual is a guide on what are the proper steps to do
before, during and after disasters and calamities.
Quiñones said this is also a tool to minimize mistakes that will
cost grave destruction to lives and properties.
The manual contains three critical preparedness
actions: Alpha (Yellow), Bravo (Orange), and Charlie
(Red). Alpha actions will be done by LGUs inside the cone but are farthest from
the direct typhoon track.
Bravo presumes Alpha actions have been done coupled with
additional acts that are essential for LGUs near the vicinity of the direct
typhoon path.
While Charlie, assumes that Alpha and Bravo actions have already
been done and additional actions must be undertaken to address the severe
threat of the typhoon by those in its direct path.
DILG’s Operation Listo responds to the continuing threat of
natural disasters that confront LGUs. It is an extensive action
that aims to inform Filipinos, especially the LGUs on the importance of right
preparations and actions in times of calamities. (mbcn/jct/PIA7-Negros
Oriental/with reports from Sheena Mae Diongco, SU intern)