Royce Hotel and Casino, Pampanga
25 April 2016
President Benigno S. Aquino III reiterated the relevance of preparedness and collective efforts in times of disaster during the launching of Listong Pamayanan and Listong Pamilyang Pilipino under the Operation Listo Program at Royce Hotel and Casino in Pampanga.
“Alam naman natin: Nasa 20 bagyo ang pumapasok sa bansa kada taon. Sa paghagupit ng bagyo at matinding pagbaha, marami ang nasasalanta at napipinsalang kabuhayan,” the President said.
He added that after super Typhoon Yolanda, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), under the leadership of its former Secretary Mar Roxas, initiated the Oplan Listo that empowers the capacity of the local government units (LGUs) in preparing for disasters, limiting its adverse effects towards the community. The Oplan Listo led to the creation and dissemination of the Disaster Preparedness Manual that indicates the importance of building Listo Teams in every city and municipality, as well as the measures to do before, during and after disasters.
“Ngayong araw, sa pamumuno naman ni Secretary Mel Sarmiento, nilulunsad natin ang dalawang bagong components ng Oplan Listo: ang Listong Pamayanan at Listong Pamilyang Pilipino. Layon naman nitong gawing aktibong katuwang ang ating mga komunidad at mga pamilya sa paghahanda para sa anumang sakuna,” he added.
Listong Pamayanan includes the dialogue conducted by the government with the stakeholders, community simulation drills, and the Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. On the other hand, Listong Pamilyang Pilipino involves Filipino families to be equipped with Emergency Balde (E-Balde) with its ready-to-eat food, three galloons of water, medicines, first aid and hygiene kit, clothes, flashlight, and radio. Under also the Listong Pamilyang Pilipino, families are encouraged and taught to make a household plan that will specify the safe areas when immediate evacuation is needed.
“Ang sa atin po: hindi natin kontrolado ang panahon. Pero hindi naman po ibig sabihin, wala na tayong gagawin para mailayo ang ating mga kababayan mula sa mga panganib na dulot ng anumang sakuna. Nagsisimula ang kaligtasan sa tamang kaalaman at kahandaan, at ito nga po ang ginagawa natin sa ilalim ng ating programa,” President Aquino explained.
He added that the Oplan Listo is just one of the programs for disaster risk reduction and management along with the Project NOAH, ever-developing PAGASA, Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment, and the Flood Management Master Plan for Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna and Bulacan.
“Sa pagiging handa, nakakaiwas tayo sa peligro, sa halip na gugulin ang oras at pondo sa paglutas sa perhuwisyong dulot ng sakuna. Bakit hihintaying magdusa pa bago kumilos, kung pwede naman itong iwasan,” he concluded.
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