BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod is urging the Bacolod Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) through the office of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to hold activities in support of Health Emergency Preparedness Day on December 6, 2022.
The resolution authored by Councilor Claudio Puentevella said December 6 of every year is declared as National Health Emergency Preparedness Day by virtue of Proclamation No. 705 series of 1995.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), public emergencies can arise from a wide range of cases, including outbreaks of contagious, life-threatening disease, natural disasters such as flooding and typhoon, and chemical contamination of the environment and radiation, it said.
It may also include acts of terrorism such as bombings and shootings and mass casualty incidents such as car, plane and train crashes, the resolution said.
Injuries, trauma and other health emergencies now constitute one of the 10 leading causes of death in the Philippines, accounting for one death every 22 minutes, it said.
The resolution said emergencies and disasters can happen anytime, and that is why we must be always ready and prepared. Being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that may result from disasters.
It is highly recommended to know the emergency numbers to call and list of the closest hospitals in one’s area. In case of injuries and trauma, it may be necessary to know what numbers to call for rescue especially if a patient should be treated in a hospital. Keep in mind that minutes and hours can mean the difference between life and death for a person if not given proper care, it said.
The goal of the celebration is to promote health emergency preparedness awareness among Filipinos, the resolution added.*
