City Mayor Mauricio Domogan reiterated his call to the citizenry to be safety- conscious and help themselves to be prepared on any disaster or calamities that may happen in the city.

This as Office of Civil Defense (OCD-CAR) Regional Director Olivia Luces, reported during the recent Regional Development Council (RDC) at Bontoc Mountain Province that from January up to March 26 of this year, there are already 37 occurrences of earthquakes, with magnitudes varying from 5.4 up to 9, worldwide and 198 more earthquakes occurrences with lesser magnitude.

In an interview, Domogan stressed that since last year, he already signed an administrative order creating the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council which also includes an outline on how the city would respond or act during disaster or calamities, as well as provision on the needed equipments.

“We keep on doing all we can to prepare for the occurrence of any disaster or calamity that may happen but again I reiterate my call that we cannot do it alone, as we need every citizen to also make themselves be prepared. Government assistance will always be there but again they are the first who could really help themselves during such times,” Domogan said.

According to Domogan, the geological map of the city shows that there are many danger zones that are unfit to construct buildings but then again people are stubborn and insist to live in such areas.

“It is just like inviting a disaster to happen to their family, and if ever something happens, which I hope would not come, they would blame again the city government as if we have done nothing to warn or remind them,” he stressed.

Domogan also called on the city establishments especially boarding houses to comply on safety regulations such as the Fire Code.

“We will not hesitate to issue closure order on commercial establishment such as boarding houses which would not comply with safety regulations and requirements, as inspection is regularly being done in the city,” the mayor said. *(PIA CAR)