BACOLOR— Director Renato U. Solidum of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOCS) told the local government officials that there is a need to prepare for the worst case scenario during the 5-day seminar on Contingency Planning and Formulation Workshop at King’s Royale Promenade starting yesterday.
“Huwag lang po nating paghandaan ang mga maliliit na kalamidad, we should also prepare for worst-case-scenario,” Solidum said.
Solidum cited several municipalities prone to perennial flooding such as the City of San Fernando, Mexico, Minalin, Sto. Tomas, Macabebe, Masantol, Candaba, San Luis, San Simon, Apalit, among others.
He also mentioned that the province should prepare for calamities such as earthquakes and landslides.
Engr. Lulu Alingcastre, head of Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) said there is a need for disaster preparedness and risk reduction management in cooperation with various concerned stakeholders from the communities, local officials, PDRRMC and different line agencies of the government.
On the other hand, Police SSupt, Edgardo Tinio, provincial police director and member of the PDRRMC said there is an emerging challenge that we have to face, it’s the climate change.
According to Tinio, the workshop was arranged to abreast Capampangans about climate change and to make them aware about this emerging challenge – the erratic disaster that continually escalate in the province such as landslide, typhoon and floodings.
Office of Civil Defense Director Josefina Timoteo said we have to brace for the possibilities of hazards, its cause and effect. She also stressed the essence of disaster preparedness and assessment during the workshop.
The 5-day workshop was graced by Governor Lilia Pineda together with Board Members, Monina Laus, Trina Dizon, Cris Garbo, Ric Yabut, Nestor Tolentino and Raul Macalino. (Ma. Reina Len G. Luna, OJT)
