BARAS, Palo, Leyte -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Eastern Visayas distributed a total of 3,932 emergency Go-Bags to employees at the regional office and its 13 district engineering offices.

A total of 1,036 for budgetary, 117 for Build, Build, Build personnel, and 2,779 for job order employees go-bags fully armed with at least 100 emergency items were distributed on January 26.

The distribution of Go-Bags was made possible through DPWH Regional Director Allan S. Borromeo, assisted by OIC-ARD David P. Adongay Jr, and Engr. Ma. Rosario Margallo of the Maintenance Division.

“It is important for DPWH employees to always be prepared. We want our employees to value self-help and preparedness in accordance to the department’s sustainable goals in disaster preparedness,” Director Borromeo said.

“Packed inside the Go-Bag are survival essential items which can be very useful and handy during immediate evacuation in times of emergencies or any disasters,” he added.

The Go-Bag is expected to aid the person affected with a disaster even without any form of rescue in the next 72 hours. Each bag contains a raincoat set, basic first aid kit, emergency tools, hygiene kit, essential necessities, sleeping bag, drinking water bottle and portable utensils, flashlight and whistle, a document keeper, among others. 

Procurement of Go-Bags amounting to P43,252,000 was funded under the DPWH Regular Agency Fund-Specific Budgets of National Government Agencies.

This initiative is part of the Disaster Preparedness Program of the Department’s Bureau of Maintenance, which promotes a holistic disaster risk reduction management, and the continuing efforts to build disaster resiliency and sustainability at all levels. (DPWH 8)