To lessen impacts of a disaster
TACLOBAN CITY- Residents of this city who wanted to be updated on weather system or where to go in case of a disaster only have to do is dial certain numbers activated by the city government for these purposes.
The text alert system, dubbed as “Community Climate Guide and Response (CCGR),” was formally launched on Friday (August 23) with Mayor Cristina Gonzales Romualdez expressing her hope that the residents will make use of the program when the need arises.
Romualdez led in the launching of the program held at the grounds of the City Hall attended by members of the city council led by Vice Mayor Jerry “Sambo” Yaokasin and Councilor Aimee Grafil, department heads, city response groups, barangay officials and students.
Rey Gozon, assistant regional director of the Office of Civil Defense, represented Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, national chief of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.
Mayor Romualdez said that it is high time that the city should have a program like this to help avert any possible losses of lives and properties in case a disaster strikes Tacloban.
Tacloban was the ground zero of supertyphoon “Yolanda” considered to be the world’s strongest typhoon to hit inland.
The 2013 massive catastrophe resulted for the deaths of more than 2,200 people in the city with damaged to properties reaching over P10 billion.
According to the city mayor, the CCGR will help the residents be updated on the current weather situation and where are the identified evacuation centers across the city if the need arises.
For one to get the needed information, one has to register (REG<SPACE>) FULL NAME<SPACE> COMPLETE ADDRESS and send to 09209000911 or 09778080911 or through hotline number 8880911.
Meantime, Mayor Romualdez called for voluntarism among the public especially during a disaster response.
“After all, disaster preparedness is everybody’s responsibility and should start at homes,” the city mayor said.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
