CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Sep 14 (PIA) – The Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) zeroed in on the region’s disaster response and preparedness amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in this year’s National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill held on Thursday, September 10.
In an interview with the PIA 4A’s Sulong Calabarzon online program, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Calabarzon Information Officer Alex Czar Masiglat emphasized the need for coordination in implementing disaster management strategies and forming partnerships with key government agencies.
“Disasters are multi-faceted, and what we are experiencing right now is a biological disaster,” Masiglat said.
Being at the frontlines of disaster response, Masiglat stressed that the pandemic is no different from previous calamities where they are tasked to provide steady leadership in the region’s disaster resilience plan by forging strong partnerships with various agencies.
“We always forge strong communication links with our partner agencies to provide strategic decisions,” he said, admitting that establishing communication channels with the region’s five provinces is one of the challenges they must overcome.
Disaster response under the new normal
As part of the National Disaster Response and Management Council, the Office of Civil Defense is at the frontlines during disasters.
The threat of COVID-19 served as a motivation for the OCD to adopt contact-less transaction by creating an online platform to help them provide their services amid the pandemic.
“Nasa last stages na tayo ng development and in the next months, we will roll out these programs to the public,” Masiglat assured.
Masiglat also assured that they will continue to provide their vital services, such as capacity building and information dissemination.
Aside from improving accessibility to their services, they have also been hosting seminars and forums, such as its recent Online Resilience Forum where they invited experts to discuss the changes in tourism, culture and disaster response and management.
Frontliner assistance
The OCD has taken on the gargantuan task of ensuring public safety and preparedness, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Masiglat also assured that their office prioritizes the safety of its employees on the ground and in their offices.
“We have implemented an alternate working arrangements where our employees interchange their tours of duty every seven days,” he said.
He added that their office has adopted a holistic approach for their employees’ welfare, such as mental health assistance, vaccinations, and the standard imposition of social distancing and safety guidelines.
Meanwhile, those who work on the ground are required to follow basic health guidelines set by the Department of Health (DOH), such as the strict observance of personal hygiene, frequent handwashing, social distancing and wearing of face mask.
Sulong Calabarzon is a weekly online video program established by the Philippine Information Agency Calabarzon to provide the public with better and clear understanding of various COVID-19 response programs and projects being implemented by different regional line agencies. It airs every Thursday at 2:00 p.m. with PIA 4A Regional Director Ma. Cristina Arzadon as the lead anchor. (PTB/FSC)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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