Singapore disaster management program good for Cebu - Carillo

Cebu City would be better off in disaster management if it follows the standards set by countries with proven disaster management programs such as Singapore, said Councilor Gerardo Carillo, action officer of the Cebu City Disaster Coordinating Council.

Carillo, who attended the International Disaster Management Course in Singapore recently, said the Southeast Asian country, which is practically as big as Cebu City, has earned the admiration of its neighbouring countries because of its highly effective disaster preparedness and management program.

The government of Singapore reportedly allocates a hefty portion of its budget for disaster preparedness, thus, it is not short of resources when disaster strikes.

One of the areas that Carillo said would benefit Cebu is Singapore’s policy that fire-related incidents are investigated solely by the police, thereby strengthening the investigation of possible arson cases. 

Carillo said he has noticed that despite the number of fire-related incidents here in the city, only a handful has reached the courts.

One of the reasons, he said, is that fire fighters do not necessarily have the investigation skills to determine if the incident was arson.

A local fire investigator who asked not to be named, however, denied Carillo’s argument, saying he has actually undergone a training of investigating a possible case of arson.

One example to prove that Singapore’s system is very efficient, Carillo said, is the country’s policy that civilians are not allowed within the premises of a fire scene, a total opposite to the usual situation here in Cebu wherein civilians mob the scene because of curiosity. 

In Singapore, certain areas that are guarded by police are designated for fire victims to deposit their belongings.

“With that policy, the fire fighters can work without any disturbance from the bystanders. Dinhi sa ato ang mga bombero ilogan pa gani sa hose sa mga sibilyan kay sila ang mopasirit sa tubig,” Carillo said.

As part of disaster preparedness, private entities in Singapore are also encouraged to constantly conduct drills to prepare workers in the event of a fire.

Councilor Arsenio Pacana, an educator by profession, also supported Carillo’s proposal that disaster preparedness should be included in the high school and college curriculum. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)