Zero casualty target in a disaster is achievable—OCD

By Venus May H. Sarmiento

DAGUPAN CITY, Jun 20  (PIA) –  A zero casualty target in any disaster is achievable in Region I, according to the Office of Civil Defense.

 But this of course can be attained if and when all local government units cooperate and  the public would give in to policies already in-placed, said Regional Director Melchito Castro of the OCD in the Ilocos.

“We always aim for zero casualty target. Kung susundin lang ng mga kababayan natin ang mga polisiya, makakamtan natin yan,” Castro said during the KBP forum held at the Philippine Information Agency office on Thursday.

It is achievable, he said, as they have done it in Region 2 where he was then assigned at the height of  super typhoon ‘Pepeng’ years ago.  Region 2 then earned accolades for zero casualty feat despite the gargantuan devastation brought by the storm, he said.  

“Kung kaya ng Region 2, kaya din ng Region 1,” (If Region 2 made it, Region I can also achieve it), he added.

Castro made the statement  in light of  a  brewing low pressure area in the Visayas which has brought occasional rain showers to Pangasinan and Region I.

He said OCD is paying extra attention to the province of Pangasinan as it is the most prone and most  affected by flooding among the four provinces in the region.

Earlier, the Philippine Coast Guard has issued a gale warning  in the Region. Thus small sea vessels are not allowed to venture out into the sea, he said.

When asked what the government would do with the three boats in Bolinao town which has set out to sea despite the warning, Castro said he is saddened that no law has been passed  to stop fishermen from venturing out into the sea despite a gale warning.

“It is sad but we cannot blame the fishermen because fishing is their only means of livelihood which is why we urge the local government  units to help provide alternative sources of income for the residents in their  respective areas,” he said.

The Office of Civil Defense, as stated in Republic Act 10121 or the Disaster Management  Act of 2012, is designated as the executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.  It thus serves as the coordinator among all member agencies during disasters. (PIA1-Pangasinan)