City needs disaster command center

CEBU, Philippines - The recent quake that rocked Cebu reminded Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama of the need for Cebu City to establish a command center for the City's Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The command center is envisioned to be the center of all communications in case of disasters, both natural and man-made.

It will have the communication and warning system essential to the careful and immediate release of information in case of emergencies. The command center will have a communication dispatch facility and closed-circuit television cameras.

The project will cost P34.6 million and is included in the items for implementation using this year's P157.5-million calamity fund.

Rama said that the quake last Friday is a reminder to the city government that a command center is urgent for quicker response in case of another quake, a typhoon or other emergencies.

“We don't know when the next quake will occur. Luckily we are not that much affected,” Rama said.

He said the weather has not been better in the last few days, which causes him worry all the time. 

The incessant rains over the weekend, he fears, might trigger landslide in upland areas.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, a shallow Low Pressure Area some 850 kilometers from East of the Bicol Region is threatening to bring scattered rains and thunderstorms to the Visayas.

“I would like to bring this to the attention of the council, kung mahimo, aprubahan na nila ang budget for the command center,” Rama pleaded.

The P34.6 million for the establishment of the command center awaits approval from the city council.

To recall, the council returned the proposed LDRRMC fund and required the latter to submit first a liquidation of the previous calamity funds.

The council wants to be appraised of what happened to the projects funded by last year's calamity fund.

The Proposed LDRRMC fund detailed items include the P34.6 million command center, the P27.7 million for temporary shelter and evacuation facility including relocation sites, P7.8 million for emergency rescue and response equipment, lifesaving tools and accessories, P3.9 million for trainings, seminars, information drive and capability building, and P1.6 million for water search and rescue equipment.

It also includes P30 million for emergency response, repair, restoration and rehabilitation efforts and P10.5 million for humanitarian assistance, aid and relief operations. Some P6.7 million shall be a standby fund in case of unforeseen expenditures.

Cathy Yso, Executive Officer for Administration of the LDRRMC, said they are almost finished with the requirements and hopes to submit it within this month.(FREEMAN)