Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director Rosario T. Cabrera said disaster preparedness is a continuing activity of their agency.
They have been assisting provincial governments in Western Visayas in conducting disaster management planning workshops in preparation for any natural calamity or emergency that may arise, said Cabrera.
She recognized the efforts of the provincial governments in conducting the activities with their respective municipal and barangay disaster coordinating councils.
In particular, she took note of the effort of the provincial government of Antique which recently conducted a search and rescue training involving volunteers together with their office and the Philippine Air Force.
Local disaster coordinating councils are also conducting information campaigns on disaster preparedness and risk reduction in their respective areas, said the OCD chief, who is also the Vice Chair of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC).
Cabrera said they have also taken kept track of areas in the region that are vulnerable to landslide and flooding.
She disclosed further that their office has obtained from the Calamity Assistance Rehabilitation Efforts (CARE) of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo a set of equipments that can be used for emergencies in the region.
The OCD has been urging communities to be always ready for natural calamities and disasters especially following the devastation caused by typhoon Frank in Panay Island in 2008. (PIA 6)