INQUIRER Global Nation

YEAR in and year out, several hundreds or millions of pesos are lost due to natural and man made calamities like fires, earthquakes and typhoons which visit the country at an average of 20 occurrences a year.

Today, July 1, marks the start of the month-long celebration of National Disaster Consciousness Month.

In line with the celebration, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7), through the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council, has lined up various activities, such as motorcade; Mass for disaster victims; hanging of streamers; photo exhibit; earthquake and bomb explosion drills; orientation on the revised guideline on cluster approach in disaster management; tree planting; training on stress debriefing; seminar workshop on damage assessment and needs analysis; awarding of Gawad Kalasag search winners; orientations on typhoon and flood awareness and A H1N1 for DSWD’s staff and clients and community volunteers training on family and community disaster preparedness.

The theme for this year’s observance is “Pag-alerto, Malayo sa Peligro.”

DSWD-7 Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre encouraged the public to be always vigilant against disaster. She also encouraged the re-activation of local disaster coordinating councils in the barangay level.