MANILA, July 17 — The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday led the launching of “Kaligtasang Pangkalusugan sa Kalamidad sa Kamay ng Komunidad” or “5K” strategy in Marikina City.
The city was chosen as model local government unit (LGU) on disaster risk reduction and management as the agency included health resilience in the Philippine Health Agenda.
The launching was led by DOH Spokesperson Dr. Eriuc Tayag through the Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB).
“The choice of Marikina as a role model of disaster risk reduction and management for health is fitting in the light of the many disaster-related accolades the city has garnered through the years. After the floods caused by Tropical Storm Ondoy ravaged the city in 2009, Marikina had impressively managed to recover quickly, effectively, and for the better,” Tayag said.
“The 5K strategy aims to contribute to the institutionalization of disaster risk reduction and management for health in the community by advocating disaster preparedness at the household level,” Tayag added.
Tayag said the initiative also represents a high-impact advocacy activity as part of the spectrum of capacity development interventions that DOH can offer to LGUs.
He said harnessing the strengths and potential of the LGUs to build their own capacities to be resilient is very important.
“If families can be enabled and capacitated to be healthy, prepared, and resilient to emergencies and disasters, they can work hand-in-hand to minimize or prevent deaths, diseases, injuries, disabilities, and health system damage and losses arising from emergency and disaster situations,” the health official explained.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial added that the agency will provide support for the implementation of 5K through strategies such as advocacy and capability development, among others.
“After enduring the world’s strongest typhoon, Typhoon Yolanda, we will emerge stronger and more resilient to whatever calamities may come our way. Let us push for the 5K approach to disasters,” Ubial added.
Ubial said the agency plans to roll out the 5K strategy in different regions throughout the country and provide support to its implementation at the LGU level to bring the 5K vision to reality.(Leilani S. Junio/PNA)