ILOILO CITY: The city government’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) here is finalizing its Comprehensive Disaster Preparedness Plan to address and mitigate effects of natural and man-made calamities in this southern city.

City Administrator Norlito Bautista, who leads in drafting the plan in collaboration with the CDRRMO, said the plan will become an automatic bible for all stakeholders, search and rescue volunteer groups and the city government’s committees for any disaster or calamity in the city.

The disaster preparedness comprehensive plan will soon be submitted to Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and eventually, elevated to the city council for approval.

Bautista was designated to head the disaster command center by city mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog. The plan was a result of all efforts of the committees, other government agencies and volunteer groups in search and rescue operations during the December 4-5, 2012 estimated onslaughts of super typhoon Pablo.

The 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, fire trucks and PNP and PA trucks to be used during disaster relief and evacuation.

Bautista said that as much as possible, there must be Zero Casualty by the typhoon with a well-coordinated operation set up at the typhoon command center at city hall.