CRDRRMC calls on Cordillera resiliency for COVID-19 and typhoon season

July 12, 2020 Provincial

BAGUIO CITY, June 26 (PIA) – Preparedness for the typhoon season is not new to Cordillerans but dealing alongside with the COVID pandemic calls forth a stronger partnership and coordination among government agencies, local government units and local communities to ensure a disaster –resilient region.
This was stressed during the kapihan program here on Thursday to promote observance of National Disaster Resilience Month in July, and to provide updates on the RTF COVID – 19 and preparations for the rainy season.
“I do believe whatever challenges come our way we will be able to hurdle them as long as we continue this way, one and resilient,” Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG – CAR)
Regional Director Marlo Iringan said.
Iringan, Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CRDRRMC) vice chairperson for Disaster Preparedness Cluster, said the regional line agencies and local government units have shown very good partnership and coordination in the fight against COVID- 19, which also assures the region’s readiness in terms of preparedness and response capabilities for the rainy season.
“The typhoon season is already upon us, but I believe we are prepared. We, in the Cordillera region, are very much prepared to handle this. This could be accomplished by continuous support, collaboration, coordination, synergy and of course with the synchronized actions of all government agencies”, CRDRRMC chairperson and Civil Defense Cordillera (OCD – CAR) Regional Director Albert Mogol said.
Mogol also lauded the strong unity and cooperation among government agencies and LGUs in the region in the fight against COVID-19 and calls for continuing partnership in terms of preparedness for any calamity or disaster that the typhoon season may bring.
For the CRDRRMC Response Cluster, DSWD – CAR Assistant Regional Director Amelyn Cabrera, assured that there is enough supply of family food packs, non – food items prepositioned in six warehouses in the different parts of the region that are ready for response operations both for COVID – 19 and the rainy season.
The Department of Public Works and Highways also assured that all national roads in the region except Kennon Road are open for motorists, and heavy equipment are strategically propositioned to ensure readiness to respond for road clearing operations.
Kennon Road is open only for the residents along the area and is closed for private motorists upon the recommendation of the CRDRRMC Inter – agency Task Force Kennon because of imminent danger for landslides and rock falls especially during continuous moderate to heavy rainfall.
For the ongoing road maintenance works, DPWH – CAR also calls for public patience as it is all about ensuring public safety. PAGASA already declared rainy season and aside from the afternoon rains being experienced in the region due to localized thunderstorms, weather forecast also expects around one to two tropical cyclones to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility in July.
JDP/CCD-PIA CAR