RDRRMC IV-A prepares for Typhoon Glenda

In line with the preparations for Tropical Storm Glenda, the Office of Civil Defense 4A and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 4A headed by Director Vicente F. Tomazar conducted an emergency meeting together with the RDRRMC member agencies involved in disaster response on July 14 at the RDRRMC IV-A Conference Room, Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba City.

The meeting started with a pre-disaster risk assessment and analysis (PDRA) an innovation introduced by Admiral (Ret) Alexander P. Pama the new Civil Defense Administrator wherein disaster risks that might confront a community are assessed and analyzed based on actual demography and current scientific data gathered regarding a weather disturbance such as an approaching storm.  The assessment was followed by discussions on the preparations and readiness profile of the agencies in conducting disaster response operations based on their reports/presentations.  The agencies were required to report on their existing resources both in manpower and equipment including deployment plans. Director Tomazar reiterated the importance of real-time reporting among agencies on developments obtaining in the region and their concerns, that will guide the decision makers in addressing evolving situations during calamities.  The attendees were further reminded on the activation of their operation centers to facilitate coordination and monitoring. 

The emergency meeting was attended by representatives from the local government agencies and the uniformed services who are the first responders in a disaster,  namely the Philippine National Police PRO IV-A, Bureau of Fire Protection IV-A, Philippine Coast Guard-Southern Tagalog, 202nd Brigade (Philippine Army – Southern Luzon Command), Department of Health IV-A, Department of Social Welfare and Development IV-A, the Department of Science and Technology IV-A, and the Department of Interior and Local Government. 

Dir Tomazar attends Forum on Nutrition in Emergencies and Planning Workshop

The Office of Civil Defense IV-A Regional Director and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chairperson Director Vicente F. Tomazar attends the Forum on Nutrition in Emergencies and Planning Workshop as part of this year’s Nutrition Month Celebration with the theme “Kalamidad Paghandaan, Gutom at Malnutrisyon Agapan” conducted by National Nutrition Council – CALABARZON at the Makati Palace Hotel, 5011 P. Burgos corner, Caceres St., Makati City, July 14, 2014.

Ms. Carina Z. Santiago, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC – CALABARZON said that the forum aims to equip health and nutrition workers in the region with knowledge and skills to coordinate, mobilize, and assist local personnel in planning for occurence of unwanted calamities and disasaters in the region, particularly on nutrition and emergencies. This wil ensure that the nutritional status of affected populations, especially the vulnerable group e.g. infants, young children, elderly, pregnant and lactating women, will not worsen through resource mobilization and comprehensive nutrition management of local nutrition clusters as guided by timely, accurate, and reliable plan for nutrition in emergencies.

Diretor Tomazar discussed the topic on CALABARZON Hazardscape, Faces of Disaster, Legal Basis: RA 10121, DRRM Efforts (Thematic Areas). He also emphasized the RDRRMC – IV-A battlecry which is “Sariling Kaligtasan Pangalagaan Paghandaan”as key approach wherein through increased knowledge, capability, competency, and its gradual improvement has produced remarkable outcomes.

The said forum/workshop was participated by Nutrition Action Officers at the provincial, city, and municipal levels, and members of the regional media group organized by the NNC.

OCD IV-A observes Batangas City DRRMC Tsunami Drill

The Office of Civil Defense and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council IV-A headed by Regional Director Vicente F. Tomazar observed a pilot community Tsunami Drill spearheaded by the Batangas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council held at Brgy. Mabacong, Batangas City, July 13.

The said drill was participated by more or less 800 citizens of Brgy. Mabacong, one of the coastal barangays of Batangas City headed by Chairwoman Ana Antido and nearby coastal barangays; Brgy. Isla Verde and Brgy. Pagkilatan.

The drill focused on how fast the community evacuates to higher ground and to test the barangay’s Tsunami Early Warning Systems as part of its disaster risk reduction and management plan.

The excercise was observed by different governmental agencies namely; Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Batangas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Philippine Red Cross and OCD RDRRMC IV-A.

A dialogue and evaluation took place between the locals and the evaluators after the evacuation drill made by the evaluators for improvement and to suggest steps to fortify the preparedness of the barangay for tsunamis and storm surges.

Dir Tomazar visits Sta Rosa CDRRMO USAR Presentation

The Office of Civil Defense IV-A Regional Director and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chiarperson Director Vicente F Tomazar graced the presentation Sta Rosa Skills Training of Emergency Responponders for Road Traffic Accident Awareness and Urban Search and Rescues as guest and honorary speaker held at the Sta Rosa City Hall Ground, Sta Rosa City , Laguna, July 9.

The event was the final leg for the two-week training of the Sta Rosa City Disaster Risk Reducation and Management officers and responders.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management staff of Sta Rosa City showcased different scenarios  which summarizes what they have learned during the training such as basic life support, a demonstration of vehicular extrication for a car accident, fire response and rescue operation in a collapsed structure and rescue operation as a result of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

The CDRRMO of Sta Rosa City also showcased their equipments in line with disaster response and operations ranging from ambulances to rescue kits.

Members of different media organizations ranging from television to paper were invited to witness the presentation of the different rescue operations.

City Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas shared her four K’s which stand for KAALAMAN, KAHANDAAN, KABAYANIHAN and KALIGTASAN, she also congratulated the graduates for a job well done and told them that the knowledge that they got from the training must not stop once they get their certificates.

Director Vicente F. Tomazar also congratulated the graduates and the city of Sta. Rosa as a whole. He aslo gave recognition to Mayor Arcillas for the programs rendered in line with disaster preparedness for the city of Sta. Rosa. He also commended the projects for disaster risk reduction and management as well as the state of the art equipment of the city. He also imparted to everyone to embody this year’s National Disaster Consciousness Month theme which is, “Kahandaan at Kaligtasan ng Pamayanan, Pundasyon ng Kaularan” and also shared the importance of personifying the advocacy of the culture of safety for everyone.

Dir Tomazar meets with Binan CDRRMO

The Office of Civil Defense IV-A Regional Director and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chairperson Director Vicente F. Tomazar visited the Binan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office at the Binan City Hall, July 9.

The visit of Dir Tomazar is to discuss and strengthen the community based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management plan knowing that the city of Binan is prone to flooding especially during the rainy seasons.

Dir. Tomazar met with the Binan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Officers Maria Bonacua and Ramon Belizario in fortifying the proactiveness of the Barangay levels in line with DRRM. He also implied to encourage the schools and other local organization to conduct regular earthquake drills and the utilization of the water treatment plant in the Binan operation center.

Dir Tomazar Visits DRRM Training

The Office of Civil Defense IV-A Regional Director and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chairperson Director Vicente F. Tomazar visits the Training of Trainers (TOT) on Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CBDRRM), at the Lucena City Disaster Operation Center, Pacific mall Compound, Lucena City, July 7.

The said training is a 4-day conference that is attended by rescue volunteers all over Lucena City. The training also focuses on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, vulnerability and risk assessment capability and capacity assessment, hazard mapping, basic first aid, rope rescue, water safety and responder survival and preparedness.

Diretor Tomazar shared an inspirational talk to the volunteer rescuers and imposed the importance of their help to the community and the country. He also imparted the significance of the volunteers in times of disasters.

Members of the Bureau of Fire Protection assisted the participants in the said training.

Dir Tomazar Attends Radyo ng Bayan Interview

The Office of Civil Defense IV-A Regional Director and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chairperson Director Vicente F. Tomazar attends a radio interview for Radyo ng Bayan Lucena in line with the National Disaster Consciousness Month with the theme, “Kahandaan at Kaligtasan ng Pamayanan, Pundasyon ng Kaunlaran”, Governor’s Mansion Compound, Lucena Cit, July 7.

Connection Unlimited is the name of the program anchored by radio announcers Maria Conchita Formaran and Fe Gutierrez, being aired weekdays between from 11 in the morning till 12 midday.

Director Tomazar discussed safety measures that everyone can embody and commemorated the tragedy that happened ten years ago in the landslide that happened in the province of Quezon.

Director Tomazar also imposed the importance of the readiness of a family in times of disasters. He also imparted the role of the government in the programs rendered in line with disaster preparedness and mitigation.

Director Tomazar shortly recorded an friendly announcement for the listeners of the radio station after the interview.

OCD RDRRMC IV-A Join NDCM Kick-Off in Quezon

The Office of Civil Defense IV-A and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council IV-A join the Kick-Off Ceremony of the Quezon Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council for the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) with the theme “Kahandaan at Kaligtasan ng Pamayanan, Pundasyon ng Kaunlaran”, held at the Quezon Provincial Capitol, Lucena City, July 7.

The program started with a motorcade from the capitol building going around the main roads of Lucena City.

The kick-off ceremony also coincides with the Monday Flag raising Ceremony of the provincial capitol consisted of different governmental offices of Quezon Province.

In observance with the event, a 30-second sounding of sirens was held followed by a 30-second silent prayer for the victims of past disasters and to commemorate the victims of typhoon especially the tenth year mark of the Real, Infanta, Gen. Nakar, Quezon landslide. Shortly after, balloons were set to fly that embodies disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and rehabilitation and recovery.

A demonstration of basic vehicular extrication for a motorcycle accident were showcased by the Quezon Emergency Response team.

OCD IV-A and RDRRMC IV-A Chairperson Directror Vicente F. Tomazar was introduced as the keynote speaker. Dir. Tomazar shared the importance of embodying the culture of safety. He also emphasized that the safety of an individual lies on the individual itself. He said, “tayo, bilang tagapaglingkod sa publiko ay hindi makakatakas sa ating tungkulin na magbigay lingkod, proteksyon at iba pang serbisyong nakaatas sa ating balikat. Ngunit dapat din nating isapuso ang ating tungkulin sa ating pansariling kaligtasan”.

A Smart Infoboard from Smart Telecomunications was also turned-over as part of the province’s information dissemination campaign for disaster preparedness.

Provincial Administrator Rommel Edano also shared an inspirational message and focused on the province’s preparedness in line with disasters that may occur in the provinces. Shortly after, an awarding of certificates of recognition were given to the rescue volunteers of Atimonan, Quezon for their quick response during the Atimonan vehicular pile up that happened last year.

3rd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill: Successfully Conducted

The 3rd Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill was successfully conducted on 02 July 2014 with the City College of Tagaytay, Tagaytay City as the ceremonial venue. The Earthquake Drill was initiated under the direction of the Office of Civil Defense IV-A and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council IV-A (CALABARZON) through joint efforts with the Tagaytay City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and the Tagaytay City DRRMC headed by Mayor Agnes Tolentino.

The drill was participated in by around 2,500 students and faculty members of the College and the different government disaster and emergency responders from the CDRRMCs of Tagaytay, General Trias, Trece Martires and the town of Alfonso, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine Red Cross. Providing insights as observers and evaluators to assess and evaluate the preparedness of the school as well as enhance the disaster awareness of the students are selected officers and representatives from the Office of Civil Defense – Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 4A member agencies, and the local DRRMOS.

The registration of guests, observers and evaluators started at 8:00 A.M. and was followed by a final briefing at 8:30 AM. A joint pushing of button by the City Administrator Engr Monreal and OCD 4A Regional Director Vicente F Tomazar to sound off the alarm signaled the start of the EQ Drill. The Drill lasted for more than an hour.

In closing the activity, congratulatory messages were delivered by the City Administrator Engr Gregorio Monreal and OCD 4A Regional Director Vicente F. Tomazar while the College Administrator Mr. Edgardo Castillo expressed his appreciation for selecting the school as the venue for the EQ drill and for the valuable observations which enhanced the disaster awareness of the students and faculty alike and will serve as reference in upgrading the readiness of the school.

The event was covered by the different media organizations for print, broadcast and television.