SEVENTEEN years after the July 16, 1990 earthquake that resulted in tilted buildings, crippled transportation and other public utilities that rendered vital infrastructures like roads and bridges impassable, Dagupan City has since fully recovered and learned its lessons well.

Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr., speaking during a commemorative program at the city plaza for the day the earthquake shook the city, said it was the partnership between the government and private sector and generous assistance from international institutions that made it possible for Dagupan rise from the rubble.

“It was this cooperation among all sectors that made Dagupan grow with its people more confident because it was the fruit of love by everyone holding on together to build a devastated city,” Fernandez said.

Mayor Fernandez also reiterated the commitment and continuing resolve of the city government in educating the different sectors on disaster risk management which is the core premise of the support given to Dagupan City as a pilot city of the Asian Center Preparedness and Center for the Disaster Preparedness-funded Project PROMISE.

Fernandez revealed that the city government is now working on a plan to set up a 24-hour information and response center that will attend to both emergency and non-emergency situations.

Proposed to man the center are composite teams from the City Disaster Coordinating Council, Philippine National Police, Public Order and “Safety Office, City Information Office, City Health Office and the Philippine Red Cross.

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