SANTIAGO CITY—With the series of devastating typhoons that visited the Cagayan Valley Region up north, the Santiago City local government has allotted substantial food buffer for affected residents during natural calamities.

“We have learned our lessons since we are frequently visited by typhoons. To address the problem, we had to double our food buffer as a preemptive move in case of unexpected calamities when most of our poor constituents need emergency lifeline—food,” said Santiago City Mayor Amelita Navarro.

Based on past experience during natural disasters, many local residents affected by typhoons would evacuate to public buildings like covered courts and school buildings that become makeshift refugee camps. Food becomes the most vital need for disaster victims who literally cannot find time to prepare for it.

From the city’s 37 villages, a recorded total of 12,326 families have been affected by recent Typhoons Pedring and Quiel. Every family was allotted a bag of relief goods amounting to P600 each which included rice, coffee, creamer, sugar, noodles, sardines, corned beef and biscuits.

Navarro said even before any typhoon could enter the country, a buffer of about P10 million worth of groceries is always ready at the city general services warehouse for contingencies.

“Prevention is better than cure so we had to anticipate any disaster that may inflict harm on our constituents. We have to see to it that they don’t starve while fleeing for their lives from natural calamities,” said Navarro, a nurse by profession who personally led the immediate distribution of relief goods in affected villages.

To address natural emergencies, a composite task force, spearheaded by the city mayor’s office, disaster-risk management office, the health department, the social welfare office, the local police, the Red Cross and other departments in the city government, was formed.

“Each department has its respective role during state of calamities that may complement the rest. Working as one makes it easier for us to carry out contingency plans drawn earlier in smooth sailing. Daig ng maagap ang masipag,” the lady mayor said.

The city engineering office reported that around P80 million worth of infrastructure were damaged.

After the city council  passed a resolution declaring the city in a state of calamity on Monday, Navarro ordered the immediate rehabilitation assistance for damaged houses with an initial P11 million worth of galvanized roofs to be distributed to typhoon victims.