Disaster response means maximizing available equipment and techniques to save the greatest number of persons and properties, an expert in disaster survival told employees of the Department of the Interior and Local Government recently.
In times of disaster, don’t use a thing that you don’t know how to manipulate. Don’t perform a useless maneuver. DILG people, you have your Oplan Listo. Everything is there. We have to be alert, we have to be on our toes, Dr. Ted Esguerra of dzMM Teleradyo said.
At a one-day Lecture on Practical Tips for Disaster Preparedness recently at the DILG-Napolcom Center in Quezon City, Undersecretary Austere Panadero said being prepared matters, especially as a DILG employee, considering that the DILG central office building itself is located near a fault line.
We cannot control disasters, but we must be prepared for them, Panadero added.
Resource speakers in the forum were Esguerra and Fire Chief Inspector Cesar Patrocinio Jr. of the Bureau of Fire Protection. John Paolo Bencito
Esguerra served as the Expedition and Wilderness Emergency Medical Services Physician of the Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition Team and Voyage of the Balangay and as flight surgeon of the elite medical rescue team Specialized Medical Assistance Response Team of the Philippine Coast Guard.
Meanwhile, Patrocinio discussed the importance of fire safety education in preventing injury and loss of life.
Whatever you learn today must be memorize, known by heart, and executed so we stay safe when responding to emergencies, he said.
The DILG is the vice-chairman for disaster preparedness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.