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| File photo of an earthquake dril at INNHS |
Senator Loren Legarda reiterated her proposal to conduct monthly fire
and earthquake drills and other disaster preparedness measures in educational
and healthcare institutions.
Legarda,
UN Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for
Asia-Pacific, made the call following the 1st Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous
Earthquake drill spearheaded by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC) on March 19 in selected schools in every region.
“When
an earthquake occurs and a fire ensues, would our kids know what to do and
where to go? Would the teachers and school staff know how to keep the children
calm and guide them to safety? They would not know unless they undergo safety
drills like the earthquake drill conducted by the NDRRMC. What I am proposing
is to do these drills every month in educational and medical establishments,
such as hospitals and schools,” she said.
“The
regular conduct of fire and earthquake drills would effectively instill
disaster preparedness in our citizens. Schools and health facilities, aside
from being shelter for the vulnerable—children, sick and elderly, are critical
public infrastructures, especially in times of disaster when victims need
emergency refuge, services and medical care. Therefore, schools and hospitals
should be disaster-resilient,” Legarda stressed.
The
senator’s proposal has been filed as Senate Bill No. 357, or the Preparedness
in Buildings during Fire, Earthquake and other Hazardous Phenomena Act.
Under
the measure, monthly drills should be done in schools and other educational
establishments, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, orphanages and other
buildings or structures used for the care of or occupied by the sick, infirm,
or disabled.
The
bill also proposes the conduct of emergency drills in school buses and other
vehicles for transporting school children at least twice every school year.
The
drills should include practice and instruction concerning the location, use and
operation of emergency exits, fire escapes, doors and fire extinguishers and
other facilities provided for such purpose in buildings as well as the proper
evacuation of buildings by persons in the event of fires, earthquakes and other
hazardous phenomena.
“We
must enhance our resiliency to disasters by preparing the citizenry,
particularly school children and the occupants of health care institutions,
their administrators, operators, and personnel on the proper response and
actions to take in cases of fires, earthquakes and other hazardous phenomena.
We have to do this so that our people know what to do in times of disasters and
to reduce the risks on their lives, limb and properties,” said Legarda.
Legarda
also said that aside from the conduct of safety drills in schools and
hospitals, the government and building owners must also ensure the structural integrity
of these buildings.
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