Baguio gov’t thanks typhoon responders

 CITY HALL BEAT

Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- The city government thanked all groups and individuals in public and private sectors who took part in disaster response efforts during the onslaught of typhoon "Maring" last Oct. 11 and 12.
    Mayor Benjamin Magalong took time to express his personal gratitude to those who gave assistance said the city will schedule a program to formally thank all those "who took initiatives to resolve critical situations and help the City" in those crucial moments.
    "We cannot allow these noble efforts to just simply pass unnoticed," he said.
    He said apart from those who openly assisted, there may be other civic groups and individuals who anonymously came up with their own initiatives to help those in distress at that time. 
    "Please know how grateful we are to all of you," he said.
    City Administrator said the support of both the public and private sectors was overwhelming starting from the planning up to the execution.
    The mayor said the sense of volunteerism was uplifting although he admitted that there are some things left to be desired in the city's disaster preparations.
    The city officials acknowledged the following:
    City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, City Engineering Office, City Buildings and Architecture Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, City Environment and Parks Management Office, Emergency Medical Service-City Health Services Office, Public Order and Safety Division, Philippine National Police Cordillera, Baguio City Police Office, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Tactical Operations Group 1 Philippine Air Force, 1401st (Bnt), 14th (CAR), Regional Community Defense Group (RCDG), Army Reserve Command, Philippine Army, Philippine Navy Reservists,  21st Air Force Reserve Group, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15, Bureau of Fire Protection regional and city offices, Dept. of Public Works and Highways and the Baguio City District Engineering Office, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Barangay DRRMC of Dominican, Dagsian and all barangays, Benguet Electric Cooperative Inc. (BENECO), Baguio Water District, water stations Aqua Trans, Dipasupil and BIP, Sunshine Fire Brigade, Disaster Response and Emergency Services (DISTRESS) Team, Good Taste, Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) local chapter, criminology student volunteers  and other unnamed groups and individuals including donors who sent help to the victims (list to be announced later).
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The city government reiterated the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-recommended guidelines on the disposal of personal protection equipment like face masks and face shields to protect the health of the public and prevent a repeat of the typhoon “Maring” experience where wastes mostly strewn PPEs clogged drainage inlets and caused flooding at the central business district.
    PPEs are considered toxic wastes and therefore should not be discarded anywhere or mixed with other household garbage especially the recyclable ones to avoid contamination, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said.
    Moreover, he said proper disposal of these wastes would have prevented the typhoon incident where responders found clumps of wastes mostly face shields covered waterway inlets resulting to the accumulation of rainwater along streets including Harrison Road.
    The typhoon may have unleashed abnormal volume of rainfall but flooding could have been avoided if the drainage had remained unobstructed, the mayor said.
    City General Services Officer Eugene Buyucan said the DENR had recommended color coding for receptacles to be used for PPE discards particularly yellow colored containers or bags to alert those handling the wastes.
    Buyucan however said they can allow other colors of receptacles but these have to be labeled as “PPEs” or “used face masks” to inform and warn garbage collectors.
    He said people should take to heart reminders for proper disposal of these wastes because ignoring or neglecting these advisories might lead to compromising their own health or that of their own family members.
“It’s for our own good so please let us abide.  Throw your wastes property,” he said.