Measures taken, prayers ‘led to fewer deaths in CV’

CEBU, Philippines - The implementation of preventive measures and the power of prayers were primarily attributed as to why there are fewer number of casualties reported when typhoon Ruby ravaged Central Visayas last Sunday.

Office of the Civil Defense Officer Allen Froilan Cabaron said preemptive evacuation was successfully achieved in different parts of the region ahead of time, or way before Ruby made its first landfall in eastern Samar.

He said residents, especially those living in danger zones, who promptly obeyed local government units’ instructions made it possible to have fewer casualties.

Suspension of classes and work in government offices were also institutionalized, ensuring that people were in their homes or in sturdier shelters.

That is also why Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama his gratitude on the efforts exerted by the city’s Quick response team and the department heads, police officers, barangay officials, and volunteers who contributed to the disaster preparedness of the city.

He said preparation involving the community made disaster preparedness effective.

Despite the success of the preparations made by the city government, Rama said there is still room for improvement.

“Perfection is what we are aspiring for and we should never stop getting to that even though it is not that reachable,” he said.

The mayor said all preparations the city did would be part of a disaster preparedness template that would be resorted to during calamities.

Rama also thanked the city hall employees who helped in cleaning the classrooms and gymnasiums utilized as the evacuation centers by the evacuees.

For his part, Cabaron commended the government agencies and media outlets in disseminating real-time information that made the community aware of what to do.

While there are still those who chose not to leave their houses, Cabaron said that the community, in general, has learned from their previous experiences especially during super typhoon Yolanda last year.

 “Aside sa information drive, at least ang mga tawo nituo na gyud nga mas maayo ang preemptive evacuation,” he said.

As of Sunday evening, 52 478 families comprising 232,716 individuals in the whole Central Visayas were evacuated.

 OCD Regional Officer Olivia M. Luces and representatives of other technical agencies went to northern Cebu yesterday to evaluate the extent of damage in Cebu province caused by typhoon Ruby.

At the Police Regional Office – 7,  Chief Superintendent Prudencio Bañas encouraged the people of Central Visayas to continue praying for those areas that are still being ravaged or would still experience Ruby’s wrath.

He said it is best to utter a prayer of thanksgiving because Cebu more or less got spared.

“Malaking magagawa talaga ng panalangin. God is in control of everything. Dasal pa rin. They need our prayers,” he said.

 He said that the people nowadays have learned that natural calamities should not be ignored since they are battling with the force of nature.

Bañas was elated with the wide presence of the regional police force across the region he directed his personnel officer to issue commendation letters to all those PNP personnel who participated in the preparation and response for typhoon Ruby.

Based on initial reports from OCD-7, two died while three others were injured in Central Visayas due to typhoon Ruby.

Jimmy Saldo Cardente, 14, was killed after he was electrocuted in Sitio Bangkong, Barangay Cerdeña, Malabuyoc Sunday morning.

A 60-year-old man identified only as a certain “Baring” died of hypothermia in Cebu, while Antonio Talledo, 61, of Poblacion, Guihulngan City; Crisanta Butalid, and Nelda Alberio, both of La Libertad, were injured after they were pinned by a fallen tree in Negros Oriental.

As to improvements that could still be introduced in terms of disaster preparedness, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council head David Tumulak said that he has noted several areas that could still be made better.

“With the support of media, religious groups and various sectors, we successfully did it. Duna lang gamay siguro nga plantsahonon, one is technical communication, and second is sa barangay officials,” he said.

Tumulak said that it is a policy that the barangays will be the one to implement the preemptive evacuation.

“Some of the barangays, gituman nila. Some kay naglibog sila asa padong, unsay buhaton even though nagbuhat ta og seminars few months ago…, some barangays, wala sad nag-monitor sa radio frequency sa CCDRRMC,” he said.

He also said that some barangays were not that serious in handling disaster preparedness.  (FREEMAN)