CCDRRMO on blue alert for CVIRAA

CEBU, Philippines — Host Cebu City’s City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO) will be on Code Blue alert for the duration of the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Regional Meet.

Under Code Blue, half of NDRRMC's disaster response force or the City Disaster Council, “is placed on standby, ready to respond to emergencies”, CCDRRMO’s Renzo del Rosario explained to The FREEMAN.

City disaster chief Harold Alcontin said such alert status is needed as Cebu City is the main host of the CVIRAA. The athletes’ and other delegates’ safety and security are to be ensured.

“We need to be prepared kay ang atoang weather karon pwerteng inita and possible nga daghan ta og mga medical emergencies,” Alcontin said through the city’s news and information team.

CCDRRMO has put on standby different teams in the different billeting areas here plus the 27 playing venues. Alcontin said they also asked for more volunteers from other national agencies for a smooth-sailing regional meet.

“Naa ang mga pulis, Bureau of Fire, nga atoang partner pirmi, ug atoang mga barangay fire volunteers. That is why the blue alert status is already activated,” Alcontin said.

An Incident Command Center in City Hall’s Legislative Building social hall is also in place.

Meanwhile, Mayor Michael Rama encouraged city officials as well as department heads, among others, to visit venues and billeting quarters and even stay if they can.

Rama said this during their flag raising ceremony yesterday while extending his gratitude to everyone who helped and took part in the opening ceremonies of the CVIRAA.

Rama has been visiting the different delegations while Councilor Dondon Hontiveros and other City Hall officials visited playing venues.

The mayor recalls sleeping in billeting quarters himself in several CVIRAA outings in the past. He said by staying in the billeting quarters and being with the delegates, they get a better understanding of the situation on the ground while also inspiring athletes to do their best.

He added it isn’t all about the gold, but also the transformational experience for these young athletes.

The CVIRAA had a smooth start last Saturday until present, according to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO). CCPO director Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog said they have not recorded any deficiencies in CVIRAA security.

The CCPO ensured the security of delegates from various provinces in Region 7 who are billeted in 20 locations around Cebu City. He said athletes have e-passes so police can monitor them entering and leaving billeting areas with their coaches.

The venues of the games also have police on guard, but Dalogdog explained that they will prioritize sporting events expected to have a lot of spectators.

“Daghanon nato gamay, i-adjust nato ang deployment kay ang atong iwasan ilabi na basketball or kaning mga event nga daghan manan-aw so mao toy atong dagdagan atong mga PNP personnel nga mag-duty,” he said.

Dalogdog also reminded PNP personnel not to get distracted by their cellphones while on duty to avoid being punished.

Meanwhile, the City of Talisay Traffic Operations & Development Authority (CTTODA) is extending maximum tolerance to delegation drivers in the CVIRAA for those that would be passing by the said city.

CTTODA head Jonathan "Joy" Tumulak said, this will be done until the end of the event. — Rowena Capistrano and Romeo Marantal (FREEMAN)