By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY – A three-day
training on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management was held last week at LGU
Beach Resort, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur.
Regional Director Adriano Fuego of the Office of
Civil Defense (OCD)-9 said the training was part of the activities lined-up in
observance of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) this July. The celebration is pursuant to Executive Order
No. 137 issued by former President Joseph Estrada in August 2009 declaring July
every year as NDRR month.
Fuego in his message said Defense Secretary and NDRRMC chairperson Voltaire Gazmin assured
that the paradigm shift from reactive to proactive disaster risk reduction and
management will be implemented in the LGUs so that “together we can achieve the
country’s vision of safer, adaptive and disaster-resilient communities toward
sustainable development.”
Fuego said “disaster risk reduction is not the
sole responsibility of the government but it’s a shared responsibility between
the government and the people.”
Fuego urged the local chief executives to
implement the provisions of RA 10121 otherwise known as the National Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.
The OCD chief said for the LGUs to be proactive,
the local chief executives have to oraganize and use the Local Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) to support disaster management
activities such as training, purchasing life-saving rescue equipment, supplies
and medicines.
Fuego said the 5% LDRRM fund shall be solely
spent for disaster risk reduction management and not for development programs
and projects and social services.
Tukuran mayor Atty. Francisvic Villamero vowed to
support the provisions of the law by putting up a DRRMC office and create
position for the DRRMC officer.
“This year, I will put up a DRRMC office by utilizing
the existing building and soon to create a plantilla position for the DRRMC officer so that we can
effectively serve the people in times of disaster,” Villamero announced.
The training was also conducted to the members of
DRRMC members in the municipalities of Dinas, Dumingag, Josefina, Kumalarang,
Lakewood, Lapuyan, Mahayag, Margosatubig, Molave, Pitogo, San Miguel, Sominot,
Tigbao, and Tabina. (PIA9)