ILOILO CITY: The newly drafted Comprehensive Disaster Preparedness Plan of this southern city will automatically become a bible for all stakeholders, search and rescue volunteer groups and the city government’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) in a comprehensive effort to address effects of natural and man-made calamities.

City Administrator Norlito Bautista led in drafting the comprehensive plan and was designated head of the command center by city Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog to coordinate all efforts during the December 4-5, 2012 estimated onslaughts of supertyphoon Pablo.

Bautista said the city government is happy with a zero casualty by the typhoon but equally happy with a well coordinated operation set up at the typhoon command center at city hall.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that Panay Island and the rest of areas in Western Visayas was in the direct path of Typhoon Pablo rushing at 175 kilometers per hour (KpH) with 150 Kph wind gustiness.

However, the typhoon evaded Panay and went directly to Palawan, leaving behind small rains and winds with very minimal destruction and no casualty.

Bautista said that just the same, a total of 22 families living in coastal villages here were placed under pre-emptive evacuation as recommended by the Office of Civil Defense.

The disaster preparedness plan has put in place and identified the responsible persons and entities in all seven city districts, including evacuation centers, deployment of search and rescue volunteer groups, firetrucks and PNP and PA trucks to be used during disaster relief and evacuation.