LACK of coordination and rescue equipment were among the deficiencies observed by the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) during the bomb simulation exercises held at the old City Hall and the Bacolod Government Center (BGC) grounds Tuesday, July 11.
Executive Assistant Jose Maria Vargas, cluster head for CDRRMO, said a number of corrections were noted during the bomb drill at the Old City Hall that started at about 9 a.m.
He said there was a miscommunication from the responding teams and an uncontrolled crowd.
An explosive was detonated by bomb expert Demi Montoya in front of the old City Hall building.
The responding teams included the CDRRMO, BCPO, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD), K-9 of the Philippine Army, Philippine Red Cross, Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade, and Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade.
An hour after, a bomb drill was also conducted at the BGC where the responding team successfully evacuated the city employees and the tax payers.
Vargas said the suspected bomb was found at the male comfort room and was disposed by Montoya outside the BGC.
The EOD used the military’s high-explosives in the exercises.
Vargas said the enforcement team needs a little refinement to perfect the procedures.
Senior Superintendent Jack Wanky, acting director of BCPO, said the crowd is a common problem since some bystanders were just curious and refused to listen to instructions.
“We are hoping that in actual incident this will not happen and they should listen to the police officers to avoid injuries,” he added.
Wanky also admitted that the police lack K-9 units, bomb experts, and bomb training for personnel.
He added that he requested for additional bomb personnel from the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR).
Wanky said that PRO-NIR will evaluate the drills to determine the readiness of the security units and to give recommendations.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia, on his part, said, “This exercise is really something that we need. We need to be prepared and we should be consistent and have a regular preparation for all of this."
This will bring improvement in terms of overall disaster preparedness, he added.
Leonardia lauded the efforts of the BCPO and other law enforcement agencies for conducting the exercises.
He added that the City Government will find a budget for the acquisition of the K-9 dogs, and they also welcome those who are willing to donate K-9 dogs for BCPO.
