ABS-CBN Regional News has recently launched segments on its regional morning shows and newscasts that will give important information to viewers on survival tips and how to prepare for disasters and emergency situations.

The move came after a string of calamities and disasters that hit the country in recent months and caught residents by surprise like typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and a series of earthquakes in Negros, Cebu, and other provinces in the south.

ABS-CBN president and chief operating officer Charo Santos-Concio pointed out that an average of 20 typhoons hit the country annually. She said, “It is about time we plan and prepare to minimize loss of lives and properties.”

ABS-CBN Regional Network Group head Jerry Bennett, on the other hand, believes that the project upholds to network’s commitment in rendering service to Filipinos worldwide.

“Getting the community ready for any type of calamity through timely information on TV and radio is part of our service to the public,” Bennett said.

ABS-CBN Regional News head Charie Villa said the launch of the segments was timed in March, when local government units observe Fire Prevention Month by conducting fire drills and encouraging their constituents to make their areas a non-fire risk zone.

Recently, TV Patrol Southern Tagalog in Batangas presented “Ligtas Ako!” that teaches the people in the region on how to prepare a 72-hour survival kit at home. This was followed by TV Patrol Central Visayas’ “Andam Ka Na Ba?” and 15 more segments in local TV Patrols.

The earthquakes and its aftershocks that jolted the southern part of the country left more than 100 people dead and thousands homeless.

Another 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit Masbate City and its neighboring provinces that injured 10 people. Now, it left some residents of the province in trauma.

Catch TV Patrol regional newscasts by logging on to http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/tvpatrol/