The government is prioritizing the implementation of rapid damage assessment and needs analysis for communities affected by the series of destructive typhoons.
According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), a rapid damage assessment and needs analysis is a mechanism used to determine the extent and degree of damages in affected populations.
This will be the government’s basis for immediate actions and appropriate decisions to address the conditions of typhoon-hit communities, according to OCD Officer-in-Charge Assistant Secretary Cesar Idio said on Monday.
“Sa ngayon ang main concern po ng ating government, starting from national, regional, at local levels, ay to provide the life-saving immediate relief needs of our affected population due to the consecutive tropical cyclones,” Idio said.
“Nagsisimula po ang pagsasagawa ng rapid damage assessment and needs analysis. Ito po ay isang mekanismo upang malaman kung gaano [kalaki] ang damages, the extent and degree of damages in the affected population,” he said.
“Malalaman din po dito kaagad kung ano ‘yung mga immediate needs ng mga apektadong population at para makagawa ng kaukulang aksyon at desisyon ang ating gobyerno,” the official explained.
As an example, Idio said the government has deployed two Blackhawk helicopters to Catanduanes to deliver relief items. He said the helicopters performed an initial aerial survey to assess the damage and analyze the needs of the communities.
Idio said the same mechanism was used in Tarlac, Aurora, and Nueva Ecija provinces which are experiencing power interruptions. They need stable internet connection and charging stations for seamless coordination, he added. (PND)
