Barangay Mabolo’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office opened its headquarters yesterday behind the barangay hall of Mabolo and its sports complex.
An ambulance, two fire trucks and a mini-van that are parked there respond to emergencies beyond the village’s borders to north and south districts of Cebu City.
Barangay tanods are available to receive emergency calls 24/7 and pass on the information to trained volunteer rescue workers using portable radio units.
Residents who need help can call the barangay hall at 232-1258 for assistance.
The headquarter’s presence is timely with the onset of the rainy season, when more incidents of flooding and storm damage are expected.
Mabolo is one of the low-lying, flood prone barangays in Cebu City.
Volunteers trained by the fire department and Red Cross will respond under an agreement signed with Kabalikat Civicom 940, a radio telecommunications group engaged in public assistance during disasters and natural calamities.
“We are extending our full support to barangay Mabolo in responding to disasters,” Kabalikat 940 member Rey Ruperth Roncesvalles said.
The headquarters houses the barangay’s local disaster committee office and its Safeguard Mabolo Response Team (SMART), said Mabolo barangay captain Rey Ompoc.
Residents along river banks are advised to vacate if heavy rains worsen after one hour. Correspondent Jose Santino Bunachita