Fire bureau in Mandaue to conduct seminars, quake drills next month

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Mandaue City has offered to conduct seminars and drills on disaster preparedness in schools and establishments.

According to city administrator James Abadia, the seminars and drills will start next month as mandated by the city government.

“Kung mahanas na ang mga tawo ma-lessen na unya ang panic kay kabalo na sila unsay angayan nilang buhaton when calamity strikes,” FO1 Julian Cabatingan of the BFP and training section said.

He said that in other countries, disaster preparedness drills are done on a monthly basis.

Some tips from Cabatingan: Whenever an earthquake is felt, one should drop himself on the ground and place his hand above his head and look for a table where he could hide.

Second, the wall can be utilized for protection since most ceilings start to fall in the middle and not on the sides. If one finds himself beside a wall, he should drop on the floor and hold on to the wall.

“Makita man dyud nato kon asa ang lig-on nga wall so adto sila kon inkaso way table. Inig kahuman sa linog, adto pa sila mogawas ug adto sa open space,” Cabatingan said.

“Priority namo ang schools kay naa diha ang mga bata ug priority sila kay vulnerable sila,” Abadia said.

He also said it is necessary to strengthen the Barangay Disaster Brigade for urban search and rescue operations.

“It’s a very painful lesson but there will be policy changes when it comes to drills, construction methods, and items used,” Abadia said. (FREEMAN)