The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) conducted city-wide testing on Thursday for the seven newly-installed Public Alert and Warning System Project, which would warn Dabawenyos if a weather disturbance or an approaching natural calamity occurs.

Alfredo Baloran, CDRRMO chief, said the city-wide testing aims to calibrate the new sirens, test their functionality, and see its range or reach.

The sirens are designed to sound an alarm in cases of imminent flooding, landslide, or storm surge.

Baloran said the alarm devices were installed in barangays classified as disaster-prone areas: Panacan, Vicente Duterte, Maa, Bucana, Talomo Proper, Sirawan, and Barangay 23-C.

“We need to observe the range of the sirens, especially in the densely populated areas. If it doesn’t reach them, we will suggest for additional sirens in those areas,” Baloran said.

The existing sirens in Toril Fish Port, Matina Aplaya, City Hall Annex, and R. Castillo are sounded off every Tuesday at 12 noon, he said.

Meanwhile, Baloran assured Dabawenyos that CDRRMO is doing its best to enhance the city’s preparedness with upgrades on the city’s warning systems.

He also encouraged every Dabawenyo to prepare for emergencies by always keeping a “go bag” for essential items such as medicine, first aid kit, and important documents that can be carried when a disaster strikes. (PNA)