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18 March 2011

CHR Officials, Employees, Attend the Seminar on Basic Disaster Preparedness

Some one hundred and fifty (150) officials and employees of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) yesterday underwent a whole day seminar on the Basic Disaster Preparedness conducted by representatives from the Office of the Civil Defense Department, PHILVOCS, PAGASA, and the PICE-ASEP.

“Our building was built in the early 90s and before the Commission transferred here in 1997, this was considered an abandoned building. Several cracks were also seen in the 3 rd floor of the 3-story structure. This prompted the management to seek the expertise of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for guidance on the safety of the building which the employees consider their second home,” CHR Chairperson Loretta “Etta” Rosales said.

In 2010, the Commission, according to Chair Rosales, began its building rehabilitation program. On CHR’s request, a survey was conducted by the DPWH Team which recommended that the weight of the 3 rd floor be reduced and the roofing changed from concrete to aluminum. A total of P20 million were spent on the rehabilitation of the building and an additional P10million is needed to continue the process.

“We do not wish to put the lives of our personnel in peril when a disaster strikes especially an intensity 7.0 or more earthquake. Since no one can predict the coming of an earthquake, we should be well be prepared for the worst scenario at any given time,” Chair Rosales said. The Commission will also create its own task force on disaster preparedness, to be activated in time of emergency.

With approximately more or less three hundred employees in the Central Office, CHR will have another round of training. This will be followed by simulated fire, typhoon and earthquake drills. The Basic Disaster Preparedness Seminar will also be conducted in all CHR Regional Offices nationwide. Total CHR personnel compliment is placed at around 600.

Topics will include the Philippine DRRM System, Understanding Geologic Hazards, Understanding Hydro-Metrological Hazards, Understanding Building Structures, and Emergency Preparedness.