𝗚𝗼𝘃. 𝗣𝗮𝗺, 𝗣𝗗𝗥𝗥𝗠𝗢 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗺; 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀
While no community can ever be fully prepared for a catastrophe, Gov. Pamela Baricuatro said the provincial government is bolstering disaster readiness while assuring the public there is no cause for alarm.
Gov. Baricuatro said the province continues to put systems in place to protect communities and maintain essential services should a large-scale disaster, such as a major earthquake, occur.
Among the initiatives being undertaken are the identification of evacuation sites, the establishment of alternative government operations centers, and the enhancement of emergency health response capabilities.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Chief Ret. Col. Dennis Pastor urged the public to remain calm while staying prepared for any emergency.
“We don’t have a crystal ball to predict future disasters. We hope that Cebu would be spared from a major earthquake. If it does happen, what matters is that the provincial government is ready to respond swiftly and effectively,” Pastor said in a sideline interview.
As part of its continuity plans, the province has identified alternative offices, including facilities at the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) in Busay, should the Capitol Complex be affected by a major disaster.
The Provincial Health Office currently has two mobile clinics for emergency deployment and is in the process of procuring two additional units to ensure the continued delivery of healthcare services if hospitals become inaccessible.
Gov. Baricuatro has also directed concerned offices to conduct an inventory of medicines, medical supplies, food packs, and emergency meal provisions.
The Capitol kitchen has likewise been readied to support feeding operations when necessary.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Planning and Development Office is finalizing the province’s Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) Plan, which will identify critical facilities, vulnerable areas, alternative operations centers, and response protocols in the event of a major disaster.
The plan is also expected to guide local government units in strengthening their own preparedness and response programs.
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