Caraga region launches DRRM Plan 2013-2017
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 2 (PIA) -- Local chief
executives, heads and representatives of government agencies, and other partner
stakeholders convened on Thursday at the Almont Hotel's Inland Resort, this
city to witness the launching of the Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management (RDRRM) Plan 2013-2017.
The activity was led by the RDRRMC chaired by
Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Caraga Regional Director Blanche Gobenciong.
Gobenciong said the Caraga DRRM Plan contains
four thematic areas on Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Disaster
Preparedness, Disaster Response and Disaster Rehabilitation.
“The Caraga RDRRMC Plan 2013-2017 provides
strategic direction for effective DRRM at the local level in the next five
years. The RDRRMP is guided by the framework adopted by the NDRRM Plan
2011-2028 and is consistent with the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016 and
Caraga Regional Development Plan 2011-2016,” explained Gobenciong.
Gobenciong also presented the impacts and
outcomes of the four thematic areas in disaster management.
Meanwhile, the four vice chairpersons presented
the outputs and key activities for each thematic areas.
Further, Gobenciong, together with the four vice
chairpersons of the council signed the RDRRMC Resolution No. 1-2013, adopting
the RDRRM Plan 2013-2017.
Meanwhile, OCD Administrator and Executive
Director of NDRRMC UnderSecretary Eduardo Del Rosario said that it is a big
responsibility being the new OCD Administrator after USec. Benito Ramos'
resignation from duty.
"I'm very glad to have witnessed today your
region's DRRM Plan," Del Rosario said. He also stressed that prevention
and mitigation and preparedness are very important aspects that we should
ensure for us to save lives during disaster.
On behalf of Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante
Jr., City Councilor Dr. Virgilio Nery relayed mayor's speech during the
launching. Amante stressed that the local government must exert unified efforts
for the implementation of the plan. He also commended the member-agencies of
the DRRMC led by OCD along with other agencies. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
BFP opens fire prevention month celeb; turns
over firefighting equipment, recognizes women's group
By David M. Suyao
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, Mar. 2 (PIA) --
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Friday turned over personal protective
and fire fighting equipment to the municipalities of San Francisco and
Talacogon and gave recognition to organized women’s group in the prevention of
fire in their respective municipalities.
SSupt. Marion Socorro Timonera, BFP Caraga
Regional Director, assisted by SInsp. Augusto Cesar Kinazo, Agusan del Sur Fire
Mashall turned over to Mayor Jenny de Asis of San Francisco and Mayor Isaias
Masendo of Talacogon helmets, firemen’s outfit, boots, gloves and fire hoses
that both municipal fire stations needed. The fire station in Talacogon was
just inaugurated last week and the lone fire truck was delivered last October
2012.
In his opening remarks, SInsp. Kinazo said, the
San Francisco fire station will conduct series of fire precautionary measures
seminars this month aside from inspecting various business establishments
making sure they comply with the safety requirements that the BFP requires.
In response, Mayor Jenny de Asis of San
Francisco said that five barangays within the Poblacion in San Francisco have
already organized fire fighting volunteers ready to assist the BFP in case of
fire.
“We have also organized women and we termed them
the “Pink women” who will also serve as look outs of properties of fire victims
and care takers of very young children and infants in case of fire,” Mayor de
Asis said.
Talacogon Mayor Isaias Masendo also said they
have been wishing for fire equipment and trucks for a very long time, and
gladly said their wishes and prayers were heard.
“I am very glad to tell you that our dreams
before are now realized. And I am proudly promising that from now on, we will
no longer totally be relying help from other municipalities but instead, we are
now ready to help other municipalties in case of fire,” Mayor Masendo said.
BFP SSupt. Mario Socorro Timonera in return said
this year’s theme “Sunog at Sakuna Paghandaan, Kalikasan ay Pangalagaan nang
Matamasa ang Pag-unlad ng Bayan” is a very meaningful message if everybody will
take it seriously.
SSupt. Timonera also congratulated Mayor de Asis
for the initiative that San Francisco have done in preparation for the
occurrence of fire and other calamities. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
PNP Chief eyes total transformation in entire
police force
By PO1 Ryan Cagula
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 2 -- The Philippine National
Police (PNP) Chief Director General Alan L. Purisima has expressed optimism
that all cops can contribute to better mindset to the PNP thru strategic
program called “CODE P: 2013 and Beyond” as he spoke before police officers in
the wake of his visit here on Thursday.
He urged uniformed personnel to set as good
examples in fulfilling the mandate of serving and protecting the citizenry to
foster public trust and community partnership.
Director General Purisima has also cited the
urgent need to to focus on every individual job description and deploy more
investigators in all police stations in the region.
“Let us improve the delivery of public safety
services. Police visibility is not enough; instead, police presence shall be
felt by the public,” he said during the command conference.
Gen. Purisima has ordered all commanders
regionwide to conduct aggressive operations against illicit logging operations
and to account for loose firearms that may sow violence in the upcoming
mid-term elections.
“Code-P: 2013 and Beyond”, consistent with the
PNP’s long-term program PNP Patrol Plan 2030, stands for competence,
organizational development, discipline, excellence and professionalism. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
