By Gideon C. Corgue
LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur – To enhance the capacity of stakeholders on disaster risk reduction, particularly on prevention and mitigation measures, a one day orientation on Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management plan formulation was conducted on Thursday, Aug. 14, at the old municipal gym here.
The activity, which was an initiave of municipal government through the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Office, wasparticipated in by 104 barangay officials composed of punong barangay, barangay kagawad, barangay secretary, and chiefs of barangay emergency response team.
MDRRMC Officer Nasrudin Ismael said the LGU had invited experts from the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) to guide the participants in peparing their disaster plan.
Ismael said the activity was alsoin compliance with the provision of Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System.
The barangay officials, Ismael said,must be equipped with knowledge and skills on how formulateand implement a comprehensive disaster planto make their communities resilient to disaster.
The MDRRMO chief said there are areas in Lapuyanidentified by Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB) at risk of possible rain-induced landslides such asDumara,Lubusan, Maralag,Pampang, Pantad,Poblacion, Salambuyan, Talagag,Tiguha, Tininghalang, and Tipasan.
Meanhwile, Vice Mayor Joel Sulongsaid with the disaster plan, barangays can help reduce the possible risk of landslides.
“Angmgamulupyosabarangay makabalonaunsaangilangbuhatonpanahonangkatalagmanmahitabougniini. Malikayanusabnilaangmgadautangepektosakalamidadpinaagipagpatumansagimugnangadisaster plansailang barangay.”
(The residents in barangays will know on what to do in times of disaster. They can also prevent harmful effects of disaster by implementing the disaster plan in their barangays.)
Punong barangay FelicitoSetit of Tiguha said he was very thankful that the LGU conducted the activity saying“it capacitated them to become active local partners in disaster risk mitigation.”
“Ang among nagamanga BDRRM plan akokiningire-echo saakongmgakatawhanatolsa barangay assembly aronmahibalo kamikung unsay angaybuhatonpanahonsaemerhensya,”Setit concluded.
(The BDRRM plan that we have formulated will be be re-echoed to my residents during the barangay assembly so that we would know on what to do in times of emergencies.)
