The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) of the City Government of San Fernando convened on May 13, 2020 at Heroes Hall to conduct a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) regarding Tropical Storm Ambo and other emerging disasters.
While the City is still battling against the COVID-19 pandemic and its Emergency Operations Center is still operating, plans and measures against the possible threats of these disasters, such as rains and flooding, were tackled in the PDRA.
The City Engineer’s Office, under the Alert and Monitoring Committee, presented its current and future flood mitigation programs to address at an early stage the possible effects of these disasters.
According to City Engineer Anele David, the CEO has already conducted the following: inspection of major waterways; and, clearing, widening, and de-clogging of at least six creeks and public compounds.
As the wet season might enter anytime soon, the CEO will also conduct similar activities in at least 20 creeks and bridges, which will benefit residents of the city and its neighboring towns.
To provide “effective, efficient, timely and well-coordinated” response to typhoons and flooding in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, CDRRM Officer Raymond del Rosario also presented the general plans pertaining to disaster risk reduction and management.
The said plans include the efficient communication and linkages with LGU offices and partner sectors and organizations to immediately respond to disaster concerns; inventory of emergency response resources; and, provision of needs of Fernandinos who could possibly be affected by the typhoon, among others.