ANGELES CITY- With scientists declaring that the abnormal is expected to be the new normal weather pattern worldwide, the unified Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) has declared a new priority focus: disaster preparation.
Nolcom said yesterday it would hold climate change summits in all provinces within its area of responsibility,
covering Central, Ilocos, Cagayan and, Cordillera regions north of Metro Manila. “Preparation for calamities is not an easy thing to do. It is so tedious that it may require us a year or two to really arrive at a 100 percent fully- equipped status,” said Nolcom commander Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. Catapang said “the need to make the public aware about this environmental phenomenon of climate change and its effects is indeed important.”
Citing the aftermath of Supertyphoon Yolanda in the Visayas, Catapang underscored “awareness and responsiveness as key elements in gearing the public during calamities, which could only be achieved by doing summits.”
“Awareness is important. The terminologies we use during calamities should be clear and understandable to the public. Teaching them the meaning of these scientific terms helps them in responding appropriately,” he added.
Catapang vouched for the development of a “crisis management protocol encouraging not only government officials but also ordinary citizens as well to take the initiative in facilitating and providing assistance to areas affected by calamities.”
“We have one significant enemy and that is climate change. Let’s help each other in terminating this adversary,” Catapang said.
