Phil. Army's 7ID strengthens its rescue and emergency preparedness program

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26): Phil. Army's 7ID strengthens its rescue and emergency preparedness program

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija -- Officers and enlisted personnel from post and field units of the Philippine Army's 7th Infantry Division (7ID) are presently undergoing a four-week Disaster Emergency Assistance and Rescue Training (DEART) to boost its rescue and emergency preparedness program in preparation for rainy season.

The training started on June 5 at the 7th Division Training School.

Major general Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr., head of the Kaugnay 7ID, said the training aims to enhance the soldiers' knowledge and skills on search and evacuation operations as well as to educate them on the proper coordination procedure with government/non-governmental agencies during calamity and disasters.

The 7ID's areas of operation, which cover Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan from Region 1 and Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Aurora from Region 3, are considered as one of the most affected areas during rainy season in Luzon based on the geo-hazard map from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

In 2011 and 2012, the areas in Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, Bataan and Zambales were the most heavily hit by typhoons.

"Typhoons Falcon, Pedring, Quiel and the southwest monsoon or “Habagat” brought disastrous effects to those provinces wherein the residents were caught off guarded, " Catapang said.

He also said they will start coordinating with concerned agencies within 7ID area of responsibilities to gather used clothes, canned goods, rice, noodles, slippers and shoes, mineral water, foodstuffs and toiletries to address problems in evacuation areas.

He said disaster preparedness and mitigation are the most effective ways to prevent casualties and damage to properties during calamities.

"Thus, I am encouraging everyone to be prepared for this rainy season and to those people residing in flood prone areas and landslide prone areas, I encouraging them to have an evacuation plan in case of emergency. Let us work together to prevent casualties during rainy season,” he said.

Likewise, Catapang also asked local chief executives to build "typhoon proof" school buildings that can be converted to evacuation centers during disasters.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=538123