Updating of city’s earthquake contingency plan held

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) conducted a tabletop exercise workshop to test and update the Summer Capital’s earthquake contingency plan on August 24 to 26 facilitated by the CDRRM Office under Antonette Anaban.

The three-day activity was participated by CDRRMC members composed of representatives from various government offices, line agencies, utilities, communication groups, and more.

The workshop included a presentation of the city’s contingency plan for earthquake as of February, this year; identification of gaps, issues and challenges; presentation, consolidation and synthesis of outputs; updating thru revisions of the city’s earthquake contingency plan; ways forward; and finally, agreements.

Local DRRM officer Stephanie Trinidad said the plan aims to provide an effective, efficient and immediate response mechanism in case of an earthquake. 

The City of Pines suffered a powerful temblor on July 16, 1990 that caused severe loss of lives and damage to property.  Another earthquake of weaker magnitude struck Baguio also in July this year but this time no deaths were reported and caused lesser damage to property.

Similar tabletop exercise workshops will also be scheduled separately for the city’s contingency plans for meteorological hazards (like typhoons) and emerging and re-emerging  infectious diseases in the coming weeks.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong is CDRRMC chairman, City Mayor’s Office chief of staff Engr. Philip Puzon is the action officer while the CDRRMO is secretariat.

RA 10121 or the ‘Philippine Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010’ states that it is the function of the  Local DRRMC to manage the adverse effects of emergencies and carry out recovery activities in the affected area.

The Act also mandates the LDRRMC to take the lead in preparing for, responding to, and helping the affected area recover from the effects of any disaster. – Gaby B. Keith