With the problems brought about by the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, what is worse is for other natural disasters to happen just like earthquakes and typhoons. Thus, it is important to know what to do during these times.
With this, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga joins the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council’s (NDRRMC) 3rd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) last September 10, 2020.
The drill was participated by the different sectors including the Local Government Units (LGUs); Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) and civil defense practitioners; Local, Regional and National DRRM; and council-member agencies. NSED aims to increase awareness of the general public about the precautionary measures to follow during earthquakes.
According to DSWD Secretary and Vice-chair for Disaster Response, Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, “Ang ginagawa ng DSWD upang mapaghandaan ang ‘The Big One’ ay ang pagtitiyak na mayroong sapat na food at non-food Items na naka pre-positioned sa iba’t ibang warehouse sa buong bansa na maaring i-augment sa mga lokal na pamahalaan (DSWD prepares for the so-called “The Big One” through ensuring that there are enough food and non-food items prepositioned at the different warehouses situated around the country, for immediate relief augmentations to LGUs).”
The Philippines, especially the regions in Luzon is currently preparing for the so-called “Big One”. It is a predicted earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.5 categorized as very destructive. Although scientists can only calculate the probability that an earthquake will occur in a specific area and within a certain number of years. Therefore, earthquakes and other natural disasters can happen at any time.
Secretary Bautista also encouraged the Filipino people in supporting the initiatives of the government in preparation for possible disasters. As they say Ligtas ang handa!
Reminders during an earthquake
DSWD Field Office Caraga shares a few reminders on what to do during an earthquake amidst the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Quickly duck on the ground, take cover under a sturdy table, and hold on until the shaking stops.
- Stay alert for potential threats, listen to radio and/or other means of communication.
- After the shaking stops, walk briskly to exit the building.
- Assess yourself and others for injuries.
- Stay calm. Observe at least one meter distance.
- Stay in the designated evacuation area and wait for advisories that it is safe to go back.
Augmentation Support
A total amount of PhP 45,808,115.51 food and non-food assistance were provided by the field office, particularly:
- 102,383 Family Food Packs (FFPs) delivered to 28 LGUs as augmentative assistance to affected families of the community quarantine due to COVID-19 amounting to PhP 37,409,750.91.
- 13,130 500mL bottled water amounting to PhP 103,989.60 for Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) and Returning Overseas Filipino Worker (ROFs).
- 5,000 Hygiene Kits amounting to PhP 8,294,375.00 for the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
With this, the field office has been continually packing Family Food Pack (FFPs) to replenish its stockpile around Caraga region. This will ensure immediate augmentation support to LGUs in need during calamities/disasters.
As of today, DSWD Field Office Caraga has available 4,889 Family Food Packs (FFPs) amounting to PhP 2,016,238.12, the field office also has available non-food items amounting to PhP 17,338,207.35, and standby funds amounting to PhP 439,740.55.
