For the first time in the Philippines, a local government unit has come up with a manual advising its residents must do in times of disaster and calamity.
The city officially released its Disaster Management Plan for 2008 contained in a 59-page manual that it calls the “bible” in disaster response procedure and management. The manual was released amidst the ongoing threat of the dengue virus in the city.
The handy manual in bold red covers enumerates in simple terms the different courses of action the public can take during disasters and calamities such as severe weather, tropical cyclone, flooding, landslides, bombing, earthquakes and fires.
Councilor Gerardo Carillo, action officer of the Cebu City Disaster Coordinating Council, said the manual is very useful because it tells the public what to do when a disaster strikes and how to cope up after the calamity.
One of the provisions of the manual advises the public to keep a stock of food that requires little cooking and those living along the shoreline to watch for rapidly rising waters and if necessary, to evacuate if there is a threat of flood.
Should flooding occur, the public should not to attempt to cross swollen rivers or flowing streams and to beware of water-covered roads, which are very common in mainland Cebu even in the city proper.
It further warns the public not to drink the water or eat the food left in their houses until these are checked for floodwater contamination.
“With the publication of the Disaster Management Plan/Manual, we have further moved to another level of disaster preparedness as it reflects guidelines for disaster preparedness for a more coordinated response during disasters,” said Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
Aside from the specific courses of action, the manual also explains the functions, responsibilities, and units that support the CCDCC and the Disaster Management Office of the city government.
It further explains Standard Operating Procedures such as when the city can be declared under a state of calamity, the establishment of the Disaster Operation Center and Emergency Response Operations.
The manuals will be distributed to the different barangays and schools so that the information can be shared to those who cannot avail of a copy.
Meanwhile, Carillo has asked the city council to approve a resolution that will give legal assistance to the parents of the seven-year-old boy who was allegedly misdiagnosed by doctors of Sacred Heart Hospital.
A formal complaint was filed against several doctors and the hospital itself last January 24 and Carillo said it will entail a series of hearings, which will require the assistance of a lawyer for the boy’s parents.
Osmeña recently decided to revive fogging in the city, especially in areas where dengue is most prevalent like in barangays Labangon, Guadalupe, Apas, and Talamban. These barangays have the highest number of dengue cases to date.
Cebu City has registered among the places in Central Visayas with the highest number of dengue cases.
As of last week, there are already 143 cases and eight deaths recorded in Cebu City. These numbers are double the number of incidents recorded in the same period last year with 85 cases and two deaths.
The other four deaths were recorded in Danao City, Lapu-Lapu City and Consolacion town of Cebu Province and Negros Oriental. — Joeberth M. Ocao/BRP