The National Declaration was aimed to come up with a common understanding on disability-inclusion in relation to disaster risk reduction and management and further include in the programs and services of various government offices intended for Differently Abled Persons and come up with ways on how to make it more accessible for them.

Carmen Zubiaga, executive director of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), is hopeful that the National Declaration can be an instrument and reference for policy makers in revising some sections for PWDs embedded in the Republic Act 10121 or an Act strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System.

During the summit, the group invited Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, chairperson for Senate Committee on Local Government and Ways and Means and the Co-author of the Act expanding the benefits and privileges of PWD (RA10754) and Senator Loren Legarda, chairperson for Senate Committee on Climate Change, Finance and Foreign Relations and also Co-author of RA10754 to champion their cause. However both Senators weren't able to attend due the Senate Budget Hearing.

"This declaration will serve as the framework for action to institutionalize a disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction and management plans," Zubiaga underscored citing that they plan to hold the Disability-inclusive DRR National Conference and various activities annually and further lobby their National Declaration in various Local Government Units and in the House of Representatives and Senate.

Zubaiga further stressed that the 1st Disability-inclusive DRR National Conference was held sometime in the year 2014 held in Blueleaf Hotel Manila which was initiated after the Super Typhoon Yolanda affected several people in the country particularly in Tacloban, Leyte.

The advocates also pushed to have PWD representation in the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and Local Development Councils as they are among the most vulnerable sector during disaster along with the children, elderly, pregnant women and those who are sick. (By: Greggy P. Senados/ City of Cebu, Public Information Office)

In its regular meeting Monday this week, the CCDRRMC activated the “Oplan Kalag-Kalag” to ensure safety of everyone during the annual celebrations.

CCDRRMC head for operations Mr. Harold Alcontin, said that the city’s preparations included putting up of Command Posts in all Cemeteries and Bus Terminals and Ports, establish traffic management, conduct risk assessment and inspection, installation of signage and layout, set up emergency plans, take care of crowd control and ensure before and after care, among others.

Alcontin further pointed out that more than 2,000 personnel from the Cebu City Police Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Auxiliaries and Volunteers from the different offices in the Cebu City Government and civic organizations will be deployed for the Oplan Kalag-Kalag operations.

The CCDRRMC also created a Task Force to conduct risk and hazard assessment and inspection in the different Cemeteries in Cebu City starting October 18 Wednesday as part of their preparations.

Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and K9s will also be deployed to ensure no bladed weapons, alcoholic beverages and explosives can get through during the Oplan Kalag-Kalag operations.

For the uninformed, Malacañang Palace has declared October 31, 2017 Tuesday as Special Holiday and November 1, 2017 Wednesday in observance of the All Saints Day celebration. Regular work will resume on November 2 Thursday.

Moreover, the public are advised to be vigilant and report suspicious persons and activities and be part of ensuring a safe and successful All Saints and All Souls Day celebrations. (By: Greggy P. Senados/ City of Cebu, Public Information Office)

Right after the Grand Parade, the formal opening will immediately follow inside the Cebu City Sports Complex which will be highlighted by various competitions. This included the Pasikatay Dance Showdown or Pahugyaw sa Sayaw, Raising of Team Banners, and the Search for the Mr. and Ms. Sports Fest 2017, among others.

Several sporting events will also be competed by the participating teams that will be held after the office hours, weekends and even during holidays until the Championship Games. (By: Greggy P. Senados/ City of Cebu, Public Information Office)

To access the application, one has to visit the Cebu City Government website (www.cebucity.gov.ph). Click the Travel Lines Logo found in the upper left corner of the site wherein a digital map of the City of Cebu will pop up including jeepney routes within the city.

With this development, foreign and local tourists as well as the constituents will now have easy access to information with regards to location and transportation in their day to day activities.

This new innovation is in partnership with the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 7 which is in charge of giving franchise to jeepney operators. (By: Kissy Dante and Alvina Fernandez/UV MassComm Interns)

In a Press Conference held earlier today, CCDRRMC head for operations Harold Alcontin said that the city will set up an Incident Command Post (ICP) in the Plaza Sugbo throughout the activity.

Alcontin further shared to the Media that the city will be deploying personnel to ensure safety and security of everyone along the 3-kilometer route of the procession from in front of the Cebu Provincial Capitol to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and its vicinity.

He also advised everyone who will partake in the grand event not to bring balloons, glass bottles, pyrotechnics, banderitas and other items that will endanger the safety of the public.

Senior Insp. David Señor, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) chief of operations, said that they are expecting more than Thirty thousand people to attend the event who are mostly parishioners and devotees of the Mama Mary.

Señor bared they will also deploy at least 172 Policemen with the Barangay Tanods and volunteers as force multipliers who will be on prowl on bad elements, adding that they will be positioned in strategic areas until the end of the activity.

Nagiel Bañacia, CCDRRMC head reminded everyone that there will be road closure starting at 7:30PM until the end of the procession. (Click this link to see complete Traffic Advisory: https://www.facebook.com/CityofCebuOfficial/photos/a.319513004792615.72244.306130972797485/1583228758421027/?type=3&theater).

Meanwhile, the grand event will be conducted in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima to the Shepherd's children namely, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta which happened in Cova da Iria in Fatima, Portugal on May 13 to October 13, 1917.

The year 2017 is also declared as "Jubilee Year of Fatima" by His Holiness Pope Francis.

At least 17 Carrozas from the different Parishes throughout Metro Cebu are expected to partake in the procession with assembly time at 8PM and will officially kick off at 9PM.

A Eucharistic Celebration will immediately follow right after the Marian Procession at the Pilgrim Center of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño which will be led by Cebu Archbishop Most Rev. Jose S. Palma.

The public are also advised to be vigilant and report suspicious persons and activities to the authorities to observe a solemn and peaceful Grand Marian Procession and Eucharistic Celebration. (By: Greggy P. Senados/ City of Cebu, Public Information Office)