ILOILO City – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 6 has been placed under blue alert for the duration of Holy Week to ensure readiness for any incidents that may occur.
This heightened alertness, which began on March 22, will extend until April 2.
According to Melissa Banias, chief of the Operations Section of OCD-6, the aim is to enhance and strengthen monitoring of all possible incidents related to the Holy Week observances.
While individual government agencies and offices implement their own Holy Week action plans, OCD-6 coordinates with the, to ensure comprehensive readiness for any necessary response.
This coordination involves local government units and stakeholders, focusing on monitoring the region and preparing for any emergency that might require support or immediate action.
The OCD-6’s vigilance during this period includes a 24/7 monitoring of the situation across the region in collaboration with concerned government agencies.
Specific attention is being paid to potential risks such as stampedes at procession routes, pilgrimage sites, and churches, the occurrence of fires—March being Fire Prevention Month and historically prone to such incidents—and vehicular accidents, which are more likely due to increased travel for outings during Holy Week.
Banias advised the public to maintain awareness of their surroundings and be prepared for any eventualities, emphasizing the importance of following the advisories of government agencies and local government units.
The principle “Ligtas ang may Alam” (Safety in Knowledge) underlines the importance of being informed and ready to apply learned safety measures during emergencies, said Banias./PN
