DISASTER response plans should not only focus on rescue and relief but should also factor in the livelihood of persons affected by calamities, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila President Emmanuel Leyco said.

The former officer-in-charge of the Department of Social Welfare and Development was one of the speakers in the recent webinar hosted by the National Service Training Program.

Leyco said that authorities should show more consideration to disaster victims, especially those who refuse to leave their homes.

“Filipinos who refuse to evacuate worry about their livelihoods as they will not find the same job opportunities. Farmers and fishermen, for example, have to save what they can from their harvests. We have to factor in such considerations in designing our disaster response plans. Each strategy must be forward-looking and should include scenario forecasting,” he said.

Leyco stressed the importance of prepositioning relief packs and quick response funds to ensure fast and smooth provision of supplies to displaced families.

“Rescue efforts are not a matter of brute strength. It is a function of efficient planning and strategic service delivery and deployment,” he explained.

Students who attended the webinar had a crash course on providing basic life support.

Robert Caballes, a nurse and national trainer on life support, provided first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation tips.

The series of NSTP webinars seek to equip PLM students with technical know-how and confidence in dealing with emergencies.