Capitol eyeing vehicle purchase for disasters

CEBU, Philippines - To strengthen its disaster preparedness program, the Provincial Government is now eyeing the purchase of a Disaster First Response Vehicle (DFRV).

Yesterday, G&G International Unlimited Inc., the sole and exclusive manufacturer of DFRV in the country, showed Governor Hilario Davide III the different DFRV models through a power point presentation.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council head Neil Sanchez said they were the ones who contacted the company since Davide was interested in the DFRV when he saw it featured in a TV show.

According to the website of the company, the DRFV “is a modified pickup truck with rescue and lighting facilities. It is designed to provide first response to a wide array of disaster situations, such as auto accidents requiring vehicle extraction, building collapses, confined space rescues, rope rescues and flash flood rescues.”

The DFRV already includes complete set of dive gear, vehicle recovery strap, first aid kit, cutters and hammers, life vest, fog and peripheral lamps, ropes and helmets and a rubber boat.

“DFRV is a light response emergency vehicle designed to arrive first-on-the-scene in emergency situations. Its objective is to provide first-aid and rescue operations in the critical moments after the accident or disaster, when every second is what separates life and death,” stated in the company’s website.

Sanchez said that it would be a big help if the province would be able to get one DFRV especially with Cebu being a large urbanized province. He added that it would be helpful if the province would be able to get two, one for the southern area and another one for the northern part of Cebu. But he added that it would depend on the budget since one costs around P7 million.

Further, Sanchez said Davide is set to see the vehicles for himself when he goes to Manila.

Some key areas that have acquired the DFRV are Quezon province, Tagaytay and Antique.

While the new law states that local government units should be prepared in responding to disasters and accidents, Sanchez said it would be a big help if the provincial government would have means to assist the municipalities and cities in the province, especially those who are still strengthening their disaster risk reduction management programs.

Meanwhile, Sanchez said they are continuously monitoring the whole province, especially with the scattered rain showers.

“We are not putting our guard down,” said Sanchez, who have officially assumed back into office after technicalities on his position was raised by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Sanchez said Davide appealed with the CSC and the Provincial Board approved his position. — (FREEMAN)