Disaster-preparedness
is a must

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor ERIC T. LORETIZO Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The National Disaster Coordinating Commission held yesterday a nationwide drill in schools to teach students the basic survival skills they must have in order to survive earthquakes. Reports said about 42,000 schools in the country were involved in the drills that would equip both students and faculty with knowledge about the application of the plan of action on disaster preparedness.

It is, indeed, high time that our people are given instructions on how to cope both with natural and man-made calamities. Aside from recent findings showing that our country is within the "Ring of Fire" to which the behavior of active volcanoes can be attributed, we already have some horrible experiences about what earthquakes can do to both lives and property.

The huge number of victims of some of the stronger quakes that had hit some of our provinces in recent years could have been reduced if those people had known what to watch out for that could indicate the possibility of an earthquake, and what to do when one occurs. But just one drill, especially for very young pupils, may not register enough for them to remember what they are supposed to do when the real disaster strikes. It is therefore necessary that such drills, or dry-runs, be repeated regularly so reaction would become almost automatic.

And it is not just for earthquakes that schools should be prepared. We had also seen massive landslides and floods that swept through areas where residents were helpless and did not know what to do to save themselves or help others as well. These, too, should be included in any further drills or trainings that may be required in our schools. For that matter, it would also be helpful if such projects were also undertaken in homes as well as offices, or in any of the places where people gather in big numbers.

We are now aware that disasters may occur anytime in our area in the globe. Just as we do everything we can to avoid illness and early death, by going through inoculations or immunizations, let us also learn what we need to do to survive such threats as those that come from disasters and calamities.*