Talomo and Matina River-Wide Drill

NATIONAL DISASTER RESILIENCE MONTH CELEBRATION

Davao City is a tributary of 7 different river systems and among them are the most dangerous, namely: Matina and Talomo rivers which claimed 25 lives last June 30, 2011. This river system traverses and meets in a heavy populated area under Barangay Pangi, Matina Crossing, Talomo proper and Matina Aplaya.

In celebration and observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM), the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), will conduct a river-wide drill to test the plans and procedures that would come into effect during real emergency. The said drill will commence on July 21, 2023 (Saturday) at 3:00 in the afternoon.

Anchored with the proactive principle of “NO RESCUE POLICY”, the ASAC-Archdiocesan Preparedness Program through our Parish Disaster Action Response Team (PDART) will work and establish coordination with the Barangay Disaster Reduction Management Council (BDRMC) and will focus on the creation of an effective evacuation camp management plan.

Some identified evacuation centers are the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Gym and San Lorenzo parish ground. Volunteers will be available to assist evacuees at identified and selected evacuation centers of the barangays.

With all this hard worked plans, a successful emergency response will still depend upon the cooperation of the people, thus everyone at PDART, asks for full cooperation not only during the river-wide drill but most of all during real emergencies. (Rhoderick Hernandez – PDART San Pablo Parish)