CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The provincial government has spent some P7-million for the purchase of 200 hand-held radio communication devices to be used for the establishment of community-based early warning system in all municipalities and cities as part of the disaster preparedness plan of the province.
Gov. Lilia Pineda said there is a need for immediate and accurate information in times of disaster to give early warnings and guidance to the whole community if so needed.
“Hence, the Capitol will provide the use of radio communication technology capable of reaching the whole community and the whole province. We envision to improve the monitoring and forecasting of information to guide the barangays and municipalities in in times of calamities,” Pineda said.
This, according to her prompted the provincial disaster risk reduction council (PDRRMC) to prioritize the purchase of radio equipment and establishment of communication centers.
The hand-held radios will be distributed to the MDAOs, municipal engineers and key persons of the rescue operation team in every municipality.
“The radio based communication center could be utilized as scheme which mitigates the impact of disaster and develop preparedness measures in the whole province of Pampanga through the installation of a systematic communication and early warning system. The radio operators in the municipalities are tasked to transfer information and reports to the radio communication center managed by the PDRRMC and to the repeater in Clark,” she said.
Gov. Pineda told them that with the radio communication devices, there is no more reason for the delay of disaster reports coming from different municipalities.
“Eta na puweding idahilan kanyan na lowbat kayu, alang load o kaya alang signal potang awsan dakayu. Ikayu na mismu ireport yu na agad ing malilyari king lugar yu. ( Now, we cannot reason out the lack of signal, no load or low-battery when we want to communicate with you. You can now report immediately whatever is happening in your area),” she told the MDAOs.
Engr. Lulu Alingcastre, PDRRMO said immediate and fast communication is pivotal for the success of the every disaster plan; this is where warnings and reports emanate for further action and augmentation.
“We intensify the transmission of information and communication during disaster to prevent casualties and heavy damages. Through our radio devices, we can make early warnings and reports to deter bogus reports,” Alingcastre said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Pineda disclosed that the budget used for the purchase of the equipment came from the P25 million cash-prize for the seal of good housekeeping award received by the provincial government from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
BY JENNA LUMBANG
