TACLOBAN CITY-This National Disaster Consciousness Month, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael D. Sueno urges the public to start disaster preparedness in their own families and homes. “More than anybody else, families should know their roles and understand practical tips in disaster preparedness, that is why we have the Gabay at Mapa para sa Listong Pamilyang Pilipino,” he added. The Gabay at Mapa is a family guide to action before, during and after a disaster. It requires families to make a household plan determining their evacuation routes, family meeting points, and safe places in their home. DILG in Eastern Visayas likewise joined in the launching and exhibit last July 4, 2016.
The program started with a mass at the Leyte provincial capitol, followed by a motorcade around downtown Tacloban City and nearby areas. DILG Tacloban City Director Atty. Darwin Bibar, in his welcome speech in behalf of Regional Director Pedro A. Noval Jr., mentioned the efforts of the agency to promote disaster preparedness among LGUs, communities and households themselves. DILG highlighted in its exhibit the features and procedures in Operation Listo, projects completed under DILG- Recovery Assistance on Yolanda (RAY), Build Back Better Operations Manual produced with the Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID), the coffee table book on After Yolanda, and various technical assistance by the department on DRRM and Climate Change Adaptation.
The Office of Civil Defense announced that this year’s theme highlights the core intention of this annual observance to make people own DRR a personal responsibility and that surviving, outlasting the ravages of any hazard and making communities resilient is a duty of every Filipino. Executive Order 137 s. 1999 declares the month of July of every year as the National Disaster Consciousness Month which aims to increase the awareness of every Filipino on natural and man-made disasters for a better appreciation of the government’s disaster preparedness programs. (PR)
