Bring potable water to quake-hit Western, Central Visayas, BFP told

Tuesday 6th of March 2012

MANILA, March 6 (PIA) -- Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo ordered Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) officials to mobilize all their men in Western Visayas in bringing truckloads of potable water and conduct search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation in the earthquake-devastated localities in the region.

The DILG chief issued the directive in the wake of reports that many earthquake-struck areas in the cities of Guihulngan and Bacolod have either no potable water or their sources like water springs are emitting mud as a result of the strong quake.

Robredo accompanied President Benigno Aquino III in Negros Oriental to assess the situation and provide appropriate assistance to the victims.

The DILG chief directed BFP chief Samuel Perez to bring at least 10 fire trucks with potable water in the hardest-hit area of Guihulngan. He also ordered the BFP chiefs of Escalante City, Cadiz City and Bacolod to join in the effort.

In carrying out their tasks, Robredo told the Regional BFP officers in Region 6 and 7 to coordinate their efforts with the various local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils to smoothen their operations.

For his part, Perez said he has ordered his men in Regions 6 and 7 to coordinate with the local fire volunteers in Negros Oriental such as the Amity and Chinese volunteers to help in the various local government units’ efforts to address all earthquake related problems. (DILG/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)