Disaster preparedness
ADMITTEDLY, the catastrophic effects of earthquakes, typhoons, floods and other natural and man-made disasters worry government authorities and the Filipino people.
In fact, almost throughout the year, natural disasters claim the lives of many people and destroy billions of pesos worth of infrastructure and agricultural crops.
However, it is certainly heartening to know that government offices and agencies are prepared to marshall their manpower and financial resources to help disaster victims.
This, the government of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. demonstrated yesterday when a 7-magnitude earthquake jolted Abra and other Luzon provinces.
Note that quickly, national and local government officials and employees went into action, conducting rescue, retrieval and relief operations in areas battered by the tremor.
Just three hours after the strong earthquake struck, President Marcos issued a brief statement assuring the public that the government would attend to the victims’ needs.
Speaking in Ilocano, Mr. Marcos said: “To my fellow countrymen, especially in Abra, let’s be careful` and do approach representatives of the government if you need help.”
He said the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s “Assistance to Individuals/Families In Crisis Situation (AICS)” program would be activated to aid quake victims.
Thus, it would do will for other concerned authorities to put in place multi-pronged programs and initiate activities aimed at meeting the needs of disaster victims across the naion.
It’s a move in the right direction.
