Editorial

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

Institutionalizing EAS To Save Lives In Kalibo

A one-day seminar on Emergency Alert System (EAS) sponsored by Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) of Kalibo was held on September 27. The objective is to institutionalize EAS among the resident population as proactive defense against natural disasters brought by climate change.

 
RA 10121 or the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 mandates a unified system of communication and early warning from DOST–PAGASA down to Provincial and Municipal levels. The Philippines is identified by the United Nations as the 3rd most natural disaster-prone country in the world.

 
Based on Provincial data, 9 out of 17 towns in Aklan are vulnerable to heavy flooding during moonson season. The affected areas are traversed by the massive Aklan river namely: Libacao, Madalag, Banga, Malinao, Lezo, Kalibo, and Numancia. Other places like Ibajay and Tangalan maybe slightly affected. At 20 cms. precipitation in just 24 hours may result to flush floods and disasters simply because riverbeds are heavily silted and forest land is getting smaller each year. Heavily flooded are river deltas of Kalibo and Numancia where most population, commerce and industry are located. Actually, 50 percent of Kalibo’s prime land is flood prone but confined to coastal and riverine barangays. Typhoon Frank on June 21, 2008 and Quinta on December 26, 2012 are some of the few grim reminders of flooding that hit Kalibo. 

 
It is for this reason that Kalibo under the leadership of Mayor William S. Lachica that EAS is being implemented targeting the vulnerable sector of society. The first training on Basic Search and Rescue was held on November 22 – 24, 2010 at Corazon Legaspi Cabagnot Provincial Training Center. This was re-echoed to all 16 barangays at the same time recruiting citizen volunteers. Presently, it has 35 full time Emergency Medical Technicians on 24/7 alert and backed up by two ambulances and two service vehicles.

 
The concept of EAS according to Terence June Toriano, Head of MDRRMC involves 4 components namely: Risk Knowledge, b) Monitoring and Warning, c) Communication and Dissemination, and d) Response Capability. 

 
Risk knowledge includes household survey in flood prone areas, number of persons at risk especially children, senior citizens and pregnant mothers. The monitoring and warning data may not be sufficient since compilation of data on flood level and precipitation began only 3 years ago. Communication and dissemination are done via on-line satellite from automatic rain gauge and sensors placed strategically on bridges in Libacao (Pampango) and Madalag (Guadalupe). This equipment has a built-in generator, highly reliable and costs P160,000 each. Electronic data is further corroborated by flood level marking on bridges in Guadalupe, Madalag, and Mobo, Kalibo. 

 
The communication and dissemination focus on the Aklan Local Flood Early Warning System (ALFEWS) that mobilize all members of tri-media and netizens to inform, disseminate info in concise, practical and ingenious ways to warn residents of impending disaster. There are 3 codes namely: a) Red – all MDRRMC personnel on standby call. Necessary life-saving equipments are ready for pick up. Residents fill back up bags with 3 day food ration, medical kit, flashlight, legal documents, condom (to waterproof cellphone), b) Yellow – MDRRMC inform public on flood situation, pick up points of evacuees and evacuation center using megaphone, siren of fire truck, church bell, bamboo tubes, drums, etc. to sound alarm and c) Green is go or force evacuation to safety or higher ground.  

 
Mr. Toriano revealed that Kalibo may be one of 3 municipalities in the country to institutionalized EAS. His present priority is to educate the public on ALFEWS’ color code by posting appropriate signages on street corners and acquiring civil defense siren by next year. The siren has an effective range of 1.5 miles and costs P1.5 million. 

 
“Being forewarned is better forearmed” is a good old adage. This jibes well with NDRRMC whose ultimate goal is zero casualty in any disaster. Certainly, we cannot avoid it but man can mitigate its impact. EAS means life depending on the measure of how well can you appropriate it. /MP