Zubiri to LGU: strengthen disaster preparedness at community level

Monday 21st of March 2011

KORONADAL CITY, March 21 (PIA) -- Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri called on local government officials to include village residents in the preparations against disasters and calamities.

In a meeting with members of the press when he visited the city on Friday, Senator Zubiri, chairman of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources, said, the local government units should strengthen disaster preparedness of the areas of responsibility, especially at the community level.

“I appeal to local communities to set up disaster drills on earthquake, tsunami, floods, landslide,” he said.

He said, communities can get assistance of the LGUs and other institutions such as the Philippine Red Cross.

“But I appeal to the LGUS not to concentrate the training among barangay captains, kagawads, and volunteers, but to also include the community residents,” he said. “Disaster preparedness training should reach everyone.”

It is crucial that everyone in the community knows what to do when calamities like earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis in case of coastal communities come and know, he added.

Zubiri was here Friday to hand to Mayor Peter B. Miguel the special allotment release order for P500,000 fund intended for the repair, rehabilitation, and construction of a school building in Barangay Carpenter Hill, this city.

The fund is part of the P1-M assistance he promised for Koronadal.

He proceeded to the other municipalities in the province, also to give their special allotment orders. (PIA 12)