“Disaster preparedness is everyone’s business,” Emergency Management Office Acting Director Mark Pangelinan said during Friday’s signing of the declaration designating September as Disaster Preparedness Month. “We all have a stake in any disaster and we need to inform our people what to do, how to react in case of a disaster, and with this, we need the partnership of both private and public establishments,” Pangelinan said.
He added the first week of September will be marked by the activities of the business community that will be led by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.
The second week will be focused on multi-cultural involvement; the third week for an education awareness campaign; and the last week is for family planning.
EMO adviser Dr. Ken Shankweiler said there is a need for a continuous effort to make the public aware and be ready, to be informed and to have a plan to address disasters before it strikes.
“Businesses need to take an active participation in disaster preparedness activities because if they will be hit by the impact of disasters, the whole community will suffer,” Shankweiler said.
He added that businesses were not included in the past activites.
“When disasters arise, businesses are affected. If they are not prepared, they will suffer loses and it can affect us. Where will we get our food and our supplies? Businesses need to be active in participation for planning and we need our businesses to know so they can go on operating,” Shankweiler said.
He said 2008 marks the fifth year of celebrating the CNMI Disaster Preparedness Month.
Shankweiler, who read the proclamation, said the CNMI “is located in a typhoon alley and we had been vulnerable to the devastating typhoons and floods. While it cannot be prevented, an organized preparation can help mitigate like public education, risk assessment, proper planning.”
“This is the goal of the CNMI disaster preparedness month,” he added.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial signed the proclamation at the multi-purpose center in Susupe on Friday.
