Various activities that will underscore disaster awareness and disaster preparedness will be staged on July 17 to 21 as part of the observance of Dagupan City Disaster Preparedness Day and National Disaster Consciousness Month.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod declared, through Resolution No. 5469-2006, July 16 of every year as Dagupan City Disaster Preparedness Day. On the other hand, the National Disaster Coordinating Council declared every July of the year as National Disaster Consciousness Month.

“The various activities strengthen our goal to minimize the adverse effects of hazards and disasters in a community,” said Robert Erfe-Mejia, City Disaster Coordinating Council civil defense officer.

City Agriculturist Emma Molina said the initial activity done in line with the observance was the radio hopping of the core members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on June 5 and 6 for the project PROMISE (Hydro-Meteorological Disaster Mitigation in Secondary Cities in Asia).

To highlight the affair, Department of Education officials, teachers and security chiefs of various schools will acquire information on disaster management and safety measures during a forum on July 17 together with the members of the TWG.

A mangrove revegetation day will be held on July 18 in coordination with the universities and colleges in the city. The NSTP students of these educational institutions will help plant mangroves along the river.

On the same day, there will be a citywide parade of slogans to be spearheaded by DepEd, Waste Management Division, and Tourism Office.

On July 19, an Academic Olympics on oration, essay writing and poster-making will be held at the People’s Astrodome with high school and college students as participants. The activity is in coordination with the JCI-Dagupan Bangus Jaycees.

An awarding ceremony and a short program will follow with Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes as guest.

An earthquake and evacuation drill day, a DepEd project, will be staged on July 21 at the Dagupan City National High School to inform the students of safety precautions during an earthquake.

Molina said that aside from the drill at the DCNHS, similar activity will be simultaneously held at the elementary and high school institutions located in the 4th district. (Sunshine D. Robles)