SAN FERNANDO CITY (PIA) – The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 1 (RDRRMC-1) has set all the preparedness measures in view of the observance of the Semana Santa.
Various preparedness, emergency and response plans were mapped out by provincial DRRMCs and other member agencies to possibly prevent any untoward incident as an influx of tourists and returning residents are expected to arrive in the Ilocos Region for the holy week.
According to Division Chief Carmelita Laverinto of the Office of the Civil Defense, a flock of visitors and returning residents are anticipated given the very accessible location of the region and as people have missed the full swing of physical activties during the holy week.
“Very accessible ang ating region and also, matagal-tagal ‘yung naging lockdown nung mga nakaraang taon kaya inaasahan natin na maraming turista at uuwing mga residente para magbakasyon at magliwaliw,” Laverinto said.
All the provincial DRRMCs, along with the Dagupan City DRRMC, assured that their land and sea-based assets and other equipment are all in good condition and available for dispatch while personnel are already in full alert and in deployment.
On the other hand, the Police Regional Office 1 has a total of 2,159 personnel; Bureau of Fire Protection with 1,409; and Coast Guard District North Western Luzon with 161 personnel deployed across identified tourist sites and crowded areas in the region.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development have already prepositioned a total of 16,424 food packs and 18,623 non-food items; allocated Php521,339 quick response fund; and directed all staff trained on the incident management system to be on standby for deployment.
Further, the Department of Public Works and Highways have installed necessary traffic/warning signs and pavement markings and also, will launch the “Lakbay Alalay Program” beginning 12:00 nn of April 5 to put up motorists-assistance desks thus, ensure a safe and smooth road travel during the holy week.
Also, the Land Transportation Office conducts its “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos”, implementing heightened traffic volume monitoring and roadworthiness inspection in public utility vehicles and temporary terminals.
Meanwhile, the RDRRMC-1 has raised its alert status to Red through Memorandum Circular No. 19 series of 2023 effective April 4, 2023 to closely monitor, consolidate, and report all related incidents, and to ensure prompt coordination with concerned member agencies and offices. (JCR/MJTAB/CGC, PIA Pangasinan)
