OCD to continue with duties despite typhoon fatigue

MANILA – Disaster responders will continue with their duties despite the challenges of “typhoon fatigue” following a series of powerful tropical cyclones pummeling the country in less than a month, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said.

OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said some personnel had been getting sick and fatigue.

He said personnel are rotated by assigning teams from other regions to relieve those responders needing rest.

OCD deputy administrator for operations, Assistant Secretary Cesar Idio acknowledged the physical exhaustion at all levels of government due to their ongoing disaster risk management operations.

“The beauty of it, however, is that you can see the cooperation of the various government agencies. They are the ones providing augmentation personnel. And our leaders – you can see our President, our Secretary of National Defense and our Civil Defense Administrator– they are always there, inspiring our responders and managers to continue doing their jobs,” he said.

Idio said Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. ordered the deployment of medical personnel, including doctors and nurses, to check the health of disaster responders.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force said it conducted a rapid damage assessment and needs analysis (RDANA) in Aurora, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac provinces last Nov. 18 to determine the extent of damage caused by the typhoons, including Super Typhoon Pepito (Man-yi).

PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, in a statement, said the mission is a critical role of the PAF in disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

“The RDNA aims to provide a comprehensive and immediate assessment of damages caused by Typhoon Pepito, ensuring that the affected communities receive swift and appropriate assistance,” Castillo said.

“This comprehensive assessment ensures that government and humanitarian interventions are effectively targeted.”

The PAF also deployed a C-130 cargo transport on November 18 to airlift 1, 300 family food packs from Mactan, Cebu, to Virac Airport in Catanduanes. (PNA)

Related articles

SRA sustains close monitoring vs. RSSI infestation in Negros Occidental

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has maintained close monitoring...

2 weather systems to bring rain over Luzon and raise heat index in key areas

Two weather systems are expected to bring widespread rain...

Legarda renews Manila Call for bold climate action ahead of UNOC3

Senator Loren Legarda on Tuesday led the reaffirmation of...

Trough of LPA to bring rains over parts of PH

The low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area...

One survey not enough to prove trustworthiness – Marcos

A public official’s trustworthiness could not be measured by...