Villar: Have an emergency plan for disasters

Re-electionist Senator Cynthia Villar has urged the public to have their own emergency plans in the event of disasters.

Following the 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Zambales and the 6.5 magnitude earthquake in Eastern Samar, Villar said each household should devise their own emergency procedure “which family members should know by heart and implemented in the event of natural and man-made emergencies.”

“Our family emergency plan should supplement our government’s disaster- preparedness program. We cannot depend on the rescuers to immediately come to our aid when disaster strikes. We should be ready to help ourselves and our family members to be safe,” Villar said.

Villar said the two quakes that rocked the country in two consecutive days remind us that a bigger disaster looms.

The so-called “Big One” is a major earthquake which experts predict to bring massive casualties and widespread destruction in the National Capital Region.

The Nacionalista Party Senator added that the public should heed the reminders of authorities in coming up with an emergency plan, including the packing of an emergency kit, the drawing up of an  evacuation plan and the designation of a meeting place where family members could converge in case they are not together during the emergency.

According to the Philippine Red Cross, an emergency bag should last for at least 72 hours and be adequate for the need of the family. 

The kit should include food and water, list of emergency contact numbers, whistles, matches, multi-purpose knife, ropes, flashlight and emergency lamps, clothing and hygiene kit, first-aid kit and medicines, portable radio, blankets and mats, important documents, and money.

“Empowering the families so that they may be able to prepare and respond to emergencies will help lessen destruction, injuries and the loss of lives. As we always say, nobody can predict when and where the next big disaster would come so we have to involve everybody in preparing for it,” Villar said.