IT’S better to be ready than to be sorry.

This was the message of the city government to the people of Dagupan during the observance of City Disaster Consciousness Month last Tuesday at the city plaza.

With this year’s theme, “Itaguyod ang Kaunlaran, Kalamidad ay Paghandaan”, the city government aims to inform the city folks about the significance of preparedness and awareness to prevent any catastrophe that may occur at anytime.

On June 20 this year, the city council passed a resolution declaring July 16 as City Disaster Day.

Mayor Benjamin Lim said preparedness is very crucial, pointing out that disaster is every citizen’s business.

Lim recalled the July 16, 1990 killer earthquake that devastated Dagupan and resulted in the loss of many lives in other cities, houses and infrastructures.
Dagupan overcame the tragedy that walloped it 16 years ago, citing the growth of the metropolis as a progressive and competitive city.

He urged the residents and the concerned departments to stay alert, and be prepared for any disaster such as floods, earthquake, and tidal waves, among others, that might hit at anytime.

The city is currently implementing the project Promise (Program for Hydro- Meteorological Disaster Mitigation in Secondary Cities in Asia).

Undersecretary Manuel Gerochi of Special Concerns and Inter-Agency Affairs of the Department of Environment and National Resources said high public awareness could prevent unnecessary loss of lives and properties caused by disasters.

Gerochi advised the people to engage themselves in any preparedness activity for them to cope with the possible what-to-do during disaster.

He thanked the city government for organizing the activity that encourages residents to be aware and vigilant with the chronic problem on disas ter such as floods and earthquake.

He cited the recurrent floods here and advised the city government to adopt measures that could prevent or minimize floods.

Meanwhile, the city government, in coordination with the Red Cross and the Department of Education conducted an earthquake drill last Friday in all schools here. – AQL

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