Guimaras marks Disaster Resilience Month

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The Province of Guimaras through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office marked the 2022 National Disaster Resilience Month with a motorcade on the major streets of the Municipality of Jordan followed by a short program at the Provincial Covered Gym on July 27, 2022.

The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Sambayanang Pilipino, Nagkakaisa tungo sa Katatagan at Maunlad na Kinabukasan”.

Office of Civil Defense Region 6 Chief of Operations Melissa P. Banias who was the guest speaker for the event, explained that the theme of the celebration for this year focuses on the importance of a unified action of all stakeholders in disaster reduction and preparedness.

“The observance is emphasizing the importance of strengthening and unifying disaster risk reduction activities. We have to integrate our activities as one province by leveraging the participation of the general public, the national government agencies, local government units, public and private sector, as well as civil society organizations in transitioning to better new normal in preparation for new emerging disasters,” she said.

Provincial Administrator Emmanuel Galila agreed with Banias.

Galila emphasized that it is important to coordinate the actions of the Provincial Government down to the local government units when it comes to disaster response and preparedness.

He said that the celebration is also a reminder of the responsibilities and to improve the skills of each stakeholder.

“Importante gid pirme nga may proper coordination ang tanan-tanan naton nga ginahimo. Ang disaster indi ta mapaktan kun san-o maabot. May ara nga mapaktan ta. Pero ang daku gid ya nga damage pirme kun indi naton ma-ekspektar ang pag-abot sang isa ka disaster. Katuyuan sang pagselebrar tuig-tuig nga ma-remind ang tanan nga may obligasyon sa disaster kag ma-enhance pa gid ang abilidad sang tagsa-tagsa agud mangin resilient kita ukon mapag-on ang aton pag-preparar kun ano nga kalamidad ang maabot sa aton probinsiya,” Galila said.

Acting Governor Atty. John Edward Gando said that it is better that every Guimarasnon has skills because there is no one to rely on in times of calamity but oneself.

“The conclusion nga akon mahimo sa sini nga mga eksperyensiya nga tanan, nga wala na sang iban kita nga saligan sa ti-on sang kalamidad kundi ang aton kaugalingon kag ikasarang diri sa probinsiya sang Guimaras. The conclusion that I have adapat in all these experience is we have to capacitate ourselves. Our sailors should be train on rescue operation para kun may matabo nga kalamidad maka respond gihapon,” he explained.

The commemoration of Disaster Resilience Month is held in the month of July which is also the beginning of the typhoon season in the Philippines.

According to Banias, its purpose is to emphasize the need to be prepared for any calamity that may come.

She said that collective community effort is needed in any disaster which is what the theme of this year’s Disaster Resilience Month commemoration promotes.

“Disaster preparedness and emergency response, need a whole of the nation approach, of the collective community effort, the directives and guidance of the government, the support of the private sector and of course the cooperation of the public. A collective community effort is what we need in time of disasters,” Banias said.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Ms. Teresita Siason expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who have participated in the event.