PCG flooded with requests for emergency training

MANILA, Philippines - Following two storms that recently hit the country, the Philippine Coast Guard said yesterday it has been inundated by requests to train people in ways to protect themselves and their loved ones when another calamity occurs.

Philippine Coast Guard-Specialized Medical Assistance Response Team (PCG-SMART) officer-in-charge Dr. Ted Esguerra noticed that right after the Sept. 26 flood brought by tropical storm “Ondoy,” he has been bombarded with requests to deliver talks on emergency preparation.

Esguerra, one of the members of the Mt. Everest team, said the PCG has been talking about emergency preparedness four years ago. He said before Ondoy and typhoon “Pepeng” struck, he would only get four invitations in a year.

“But now I have a lot of appointments, I get invitations left and right. Ondoy really served as wake up call. But what we experienced with Ondoy and Pepeng, they are nothing, the worst is yet to come… There would be more grave situation,” Esguerra said.

“It seems that there are now more people who are more concerned, they see the need to maintain their bloodline or keep their family’s future generation alive. You have to protect yourself,” the PCG flight surgeon added.

To help him cope with the rising demand in speaking engagements, he asked six other PCG-SMART members to help conduct seminars.

Among the offices that have requested survival seminars for typhoons and earthquakes are the Energy Development Corp., Manila Electric Co., the Lyceum of the Philippines and the Iglesia ni Kristo. He also delivered talks in tourist destinations such as Boracay Island and remote areas including Looc in Tablas Island.

“The program of the PCG is not just for intervention but on how we could prevent a disaster. In our little way, we have seen the gravity (of calamity destruction) and we have seen the ugly faces of disaster,” he added.

Esguerra said when a strong earthquake strikes and the building crumbles, or if there are landslides or typhoons, it might take six days before the rescue teams arrive.

He advised the public to prepare a “six day kit” that should be kept not only in the homes, but also in one’s car and in the office.

The kit should be placed inside a big plastic container, preferably with wheels so the person would not be burdened carrying the heavy weight. There should be food inside that does not easily spoil and would not make one thirsty. Choose easy-open canned goods with small amount of liquid. Once it is open, it should be immediately transferred to a plastic container to prevent being ill with botulism.

“Bring water and when you have consumed the contents do not throw away the container because you could still use it (in a) flood as a flotation device,” Esguerra said.

People should also have mosquito nets and trash bags. Esguerra said people should bring extra clothing, including malong and a pair of pants. A pair of pants can be a crude life jacket by placing the two water gallons inside the pants and then wrapping the legs of the pants around the person.

There should also be pen and paper, shovel, axe, duct tape, toilet paper, tooth brush, shampoo, sanitary napkin that could be used as bandage if the need arises, sewing kit, fishing pole with hook, and a mirror and flat whistle to alert the rescuers of your location. – Evelyn Macairan