PAGADIAN CITY, Sept. 20 (PIA) -– The barangays should establish and implement appropriate strategies and effective measures to reduce or prevent from the impact of natural calamities.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD9) Regional Director Adriano Fuego told the different barangay chairmen of the province during the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Seminar sponsored by the Liga ng mga Barangay, Zambobaanga del Sur chapter, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) held recently at the Bulwagan ng Kabataan, Dao here.
“Gikinahanglan gayud nga ang mga barangay mohimo ug mga lakang pagpakunhod sa peligro nga gidulot sa natural nga mga kalamidad Mohimo kamo ug plano aron malikayan nga adunay makasinati sa sa kalamidad (It is very necessary that the barangays should implement mitigating measures to prevent hazards that are brought by natural disasters You have to make a plan to prevent from experiencing natural disasters, ” Fuego urged.
Fuego also encouraged the barangay chairmen to use 5% of their calamity fund as mandated under Republic Act 10121 otherwise known as the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010”, saying that it has been a traditional practice of local government executives to use the said funds only when calamity happens.
“Ang RA 10121 nga na-aprobahan sa 14th Congress maoy nakapadasig sa mga LGUs nga mohimo ug mga lakang. Dili sama kaniadto ang LGUs maghulat pa nga adunay kalamidad nga mahitabo ayha magamit ang nasangpit nga pundo ( RA 10121 which was approved by the 14th Congress has inspired LGUs to prepare mitigation measures. Unlike before, LGUs have to wait first that calamity will happen for them to use the said funds),” Fuego explained.
Fuego advised them to prepare a comprehensive and integrated LDRRM plan that would serve as basis for the LGUs to use the fund properly.
The plan, Fuego said shall be used to support disaster risk reduction especially in the implementation of disaster preparedness programs such as conduct of disaster risk reduction and management training, procurement of equipments, medicines, etc. (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Pagadian)
