DIPOLOG CITY, FEB. 13(PIA)--- All barangays in Dipolog City and in the different municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte are scheduled to conduct an inventory of population at risk in vulnerable areas such as those living in low-lying areas, along riverbanks, shorelines, esteros, canals, and under slope areas which are prone to landslides.
Dipolog City Local Government Operations Officer Lerma Campaner said this undertaking is in compliance to the memorandum of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.
In a DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2012-27 dated February 7, 2012, Sec. Robredo has directed all Provincial Governors, City and Municipal Mayors, Punong Barangays, ARMM Regional Governor and DILG Regional Directors to conduct and inventory of population at risk in vulnerable areas, identify mitigation measures and prepare mitigation and rehabilitation plans.
Robredo issued the directive after Typhoon Sendong hit Northern Mindanao last December 17, 2011, which severely affected Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City and left thousands of people dead and homeless, as well as damage to various infrastructure facilities in Northern Mindanao. This was followed by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Negros Oriental last Monday, February 6.
It maybe recalled that in its Memorandum Circular No. 2009-172, series of 2009, DILG has directed the Local Chief Executives including the Barangay Chairmen update the list and identify people at risk in vulnerable areas such as those living low-lying areas, along riverbanks, shorelines, esteros, canals, and under slope areas which are prone to landslides.
Campaner said the LCEs are likewise ordered to identify people with special needs such as the elderly, children, infants, pregnant women, and persons with disability and their locations, including those living under a poorly constructed houses and facilities.
The LCEs will also submit their inventory report to the Secretary of the DILG who is also the Vice-Chairman of the Disaster Preparedness. (ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte
