City disaster chief quits

CEBU, Philippines — After over two years in office, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) head Nagiel Bañacia resigned from his post.

Bañacia cited “personal” reason for his resignation, without giving further details.

Bañacia’s resignation would take effect on February 8.

Human Resource Development Office Head Mario Dennis Calvo said Bañacia tendered his resignation two weeks ago.

“As of now, I have not received yet the approved resignation of Bañacia,” Calvo told The FREEMAN.

Calvo said Bañacia’s resignation paper is with the Office of the Mayor for approval.

Calvo said two officers will oversee the CCDRRMO operations in lieu of Bañacia.

He said the mayor’s secretary, Catherine Yso, will be designated as CCDRRMO administrative and planning division head, while General Services Office Chief Ronald Malacora will head the operations.

Malacora said he started assuming responsibility for the operations of the CCDRRMO weeks ago, which is on top of his concurrent positions as Bids and Awards Committee chairman, GSO head, and officer-in-charge for prioritization of asphalting.

He said he will strengthen further the city’s disaster preparedness operations.

The distribution of fire extinguishers to all chapels in the city was part of the initiative.

To recall, the city’s Peace and Order Program purchased 1,626 fire extinguishers intended for the 813 chapels in all barangays in the city.

Each fire extinguisher costs P3,400 or a total of P5.5 million.

Malacora said he will call for a massive training for all chapel officers on how to use the fire extinguisher and on how to prevent fire incidents in their area within the month with the help of the Bureau of Fire Protection-7. — KBQ, (FREEMAN)