BONTOC, Mountain Province – Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr. called on the people of the province to be alert at all times, especially during natural and man-made calamities to ensure the least possible damage on life and limb.
Lacwasan made the appeal during the aftermath of a mild earthquake that jolted certain portions of the province shortly before lunch Wednesday as he assured that the concerned barangay, municipal and provincial disaster risk reduction and management councils are always ready to extend assistance to the people who may be affected by the natural and man-made calamities in the different parts of the province.
“We appeal to our people to be always on alert to minimize the effects of natural and man-made calamities to life and limb. Our concerned disaster risk reduction and management councils are always ready to respond to cases of emergencies in their areas of jurisdiction and we must make sure that we have direct linkages with the said councils to immediately respond to calls for help from the public,” Lacwasan stressed.
The governor explained the provincial government is always on top of the situation that is why it is best for the people to closely get in touch with the concerned disaster risk reduction and management councils for immediate assistance once exposed to extreme danger when natural and man-made calamities occur.
According to him, the province is prone to disasters because of its peculiar terrain so it is best for everyone to be on alert for incidents happening in their surroundings that may threaten individuals and families.
While the municipal government of Bontoc immediately suspended classes in the pre-school up to the high school levels after the temblor, Lacwasan said based on the advice from the PDRRMC, there was no compelling reason to suspend classes in all levels province-wide because the earthquake that jolted the province was expected to have aftershocks, thus, it was prudent for them to decide to allow the continuation of work and classes province-wide.
He also directed the concerned barangay and municipal disaster risk reduction and management councils to be vigilant on incidents in their areas of jurisdiction so that emergency responders can immediately attend to the needs of people in times of emergencies.
He expressed his gratitude to the support being shown by the people for the various disaster programs being implemented by the different councils to make the province disaster-resilient and contribute in the overall efforts by the government to achieve zero casualties during the natural and man-made calamities.
Lacwasan encouraged the public to be more involved in disaster-related activities being spearheaded by concerned government agencies and the local government to make them aware of the important things they have to and can do to spare life and limb from danger.
By HENT