- CDRRMO urges coastal residents to prioritize lives during disasters
THE CITY Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRMMO) called on residents of coastal communities to prioritize their own lives rather than save their belongings during storm surges and disasters.
Ezzra James Fernandez, CDRRMO operations assistant, said one of the reasons why people don’t evacuate easily is the fear of leaving behind their belongings or even houses.
“And that’s why amoang gina-remind nga kining mga kagamitan, these are temporary lamang. (That’s why we always remind them that these things are just temporary.) Mas ginaprioritize gyud nato ang kinabuhi sa atoang mga lumulupyo diri sa dakbayan sa Davao (We give utmost priority with the lives of all the people in Davao City),” Fernandez said.
The warning came on the heels of the series of drownings and flooding from Sept. 1 to 3 due to the occurring southwest monsoon, most commonly known as Habagat.
On Sept. 3, student Harvey Prince Momo, 13, and Jhon Alfredo Amalias, 19, drowned while swimming amid strong waves at Mergrande Beach Resort.
Fernandez said among the coastal communities affected were Punta Dumalag 2 in Barangay Matina Aplaya, Barangay Vicente Duterte in Agdao, and Purok Sta. Cruz, Barangay Leon Garcia.
“Aduna kita’y mga affected families, 20 families, and 71 individuals,” Fernandez said.
Eight reported houses were also partially damaged, seven were in total wrecked, and eight beach cottages along Barangay Toril were affected.
“Amoa na dayong gi-deploy ang amoang Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (BDRRMC), ug ang urban search and rescue, pati napud amoang Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to help evacuate areas,” he added.
He also said they have guided Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) towards barangay halls and parishes within the area that serve as evacuation sites so that they will be able to provide meals and necessities immediately.
