At the recent Kapihan sa Ilocos held on April 5, 2024, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (RDRRMC) Region 1 deliberated on preparations to mitigate the effects of El Niño and provided an overall assessment of the recently concluded Semana Santa observance.
Information Officer II, Adreanne L. Pagsolingan, discussed the importance of heightened monitoring in Region 1 to address potential challenges posed by El Niño. The RDRRMC elevated its alert status to blue, ensuring thorough surveillance of areas at risk. Despite this, Pagsolingan reported that Semana Santa was generally peaceful, prompting a downgrade to white alert status on April 2.
Additionally, he disclosed that the RDRRMC Region 1 formed an El Niño Team comprising key agencies like the Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and Bureau of Fire Protection. These agencies are tasked with leading mitigation efforts in various sectors.
Pagsolingan highlighted the approval of a regional action plan aimed at mitigating the effects of El Niño, including strategies for food security, water security, health security, energy security, and public security. The plan emphasizes response actions to address potential crises.
“Mag ingat po tayo lalong lalo na pag tayo ay nasa mga areas na masyadong mainit and dry po yung lupa– be careful lang po tayo sa mga actions natin kasi di natin sure, di natin alam na baka yung mga simple actions natin may cause, mas malaking incident po..”, he stated.
Moreover, Pagsolingan cautioned against the dissemination of unverified information regarding El Niño, urging the public to rely on official updates from member agencies to prevent panic and misinformation.
As part of their proactive measures, the RDRRMC Region 1 and its member agencies have distributed portable generator sets to all LGUs in Region 1, providing essential support in possible emergency situations.
With preparations underway and interventions in place, RDRRMC Region 1 is diligently working towards mitigating the effects of El Niño and ensuring public safety. Through collaboration and proactive measures, they aim to address challenges and maintain resilience in the face of potential crises. | Izl Jem M. Rabanillo
