Cot. City holds LDRRM workshop

COTABATO CITY --- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in coordination with this city government conducted a Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (LDRRM) Planning Formulation Workshop for 2017-2022 held at Al Nor Convention Hall from November 21-25, 2016.

Elias Salazar, provincial coordinator of the USAID Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) Project, said the workshop was attended by members of the Cotabato City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council as well as the agencies concerned on disaster preparedness planning and  emergencies.

Salazar said topics discussed during the five-day workshop revolved around  Climate Change Adaptation Plan; Republic Act 10121 or the Strengthening of Philippines Disaster Risk reduction and management system; the National DRRM framework plan, its risk profile and major hazards; and the status of DRRM in Cotabato City, among other related topics.

He said the more than 40 participants were divided into four groups according to thematic areas: Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Response, and Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery.

“The city government of Cotabato summarized its plan for the years 2017-2022,” Salazar added.

Reynaldo Ridao, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer, said it is important to develop a common understanding among the residents of the city and concerned stakeholders on the concepts of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Law and Framework, and other local policies and instruments that may have implications to risk reduction and building community resilience.

Ridao said he is grateful on the technical support extended by the USAID in the development of their LCCAP and DRRM plan as he stressed the value of understanding the hazard profile of Cotabato City and preparing the necessary information that could be the basis and reference in developing the DRRM Plan.

“We are delighted to announce that we now have a Local Climate Change Action Plan,” he said.

City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi emphasized the importance of identifying strategies to address previous gaps in disaster management at the local level.

“Flood is our number one hazard here in the city, so it is only important to include in the strategy how we could strengthen coordination on flood forecasting and the crafting of user-friendly evacuation,” said Mayor Guiani-Sayadi.

Salazar said the framework indicates the paradigm shift towards a pro-active and preventive approach to disaster management.

He also emphasizes that resource invested in disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and climate change adaptation will be more effective towards attaining the goal of adaptive, disaster resilient communities and sustainable development.

“To be resilient involves getting our disaster risk reduction programs feasible and attainable and of world standard so we can effectively respond  when disasters strike,” said Salazar.

The Local DRRM Plan is patterned after the National DRRM Act of 2010 or Republic Act 10121 so that local policies and guidelines implemented at the local level would be synchronized with those of the regional and national agencies. (GILMHAR A. LAO)