Davao oriental: The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday it will help the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and local government units (LGUs) enforce the 60-day price freeze on basic goods in Davao Oriental following the twin earthquakes that struck the province last week.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated that police presence and coordination are also intended to help maintain peace and order in affected areas. “We will coordinate with the DTI to ensure that its directives for retailers are being observed following the twin earthquakes… Makakatulong ito upang hindi magkaroon ng looting incidents sa lugar. Malaking tulong ito para sa ating mga kababayan na labis na naapektuhan ng lindol (This will help prevent looting incidents. This would be a big help to those severely affected by the quakes),” Nartatez said.
He assured that there are sufficient police personnel and assets deployed to support ongoing relief and rehabilitation operations in coordination with local disaster response units. “The PNP stands ready to assist in any capacity to help our fellow Filipinos in Davao Oriental recover and rebuild. Sa ganitong panahon ng kalamidad, dapat masiguro natin na walang mananamantala at lahat ay makatatanggap ng tulong (During calamities, we need to ensure that no one would take advantage [of the situation] and everyone would receive assistance),” he said.
The DTI earlier announced that the automatic price freeze will be in effect from Oct. 13 to Dec. 12, to ensure that prices of basic necessities remain stable and affordable for consumers during the recovery period.
Meanwhile, the PNP expressed full support for the nationwide review of earthquake contingency plans of national government agencies (NGAs) and LGUs, as well as the conduct of enhanced earthquake drills amid the recent tremors that struck various parts of the country. “We are currently enhancing our disaster response protocols and ensuring that all police units are equipped and ready to assist in search, rescue, and relief operations when needed,” Nartatez said in a statement.
Nartatez directed the top brass, directorial staff, national support units, police regional offices, and specialized and elite units to review and update their contingency and evacuation plans in coordination with local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils. All units were likewise ordered to conduct regular earthquake drills to ensure that both police personnel and the public know the proper response procedures during and after a quake, in addition to the quarterly simultaneous earthquake drills spearheaded by the Office of Civil Defense.
Last week, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Chairman, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., urged NGAs and LGUs to conduct wide-scale earthquake drills, particularly in public areas, such as schools, government offices, and other facilities, to strengthen their readiness.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive audit and inventory of all PNP assets used to ensure responsiveness during calamities or emergencies showed it has distributed 74,360 Search and Rescue (SAR) tools and materials across the country, as of Oct. 1. As of Wednesday, the PNP Directorate for Logistics has also procured 383 personnel carriers (4×4), 400 light motorcycles, 32 heavy motorcycles, 225 light transport vehicles, 322 unmanned aerial vehicles (rotary blade/propelled wing), 403 automated night vision monoculars, 4,989 enhanced combat helmets, 3,711 all-purpose vests, and 4 laser scanners.