Bukidnon draws up its disaster preparedness plan

By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

Thursday 5th of July 2012

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, July 5 (PIA) -- A planning workshop on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation was conducted by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) from July 3-4 in Cagayan de Oro City.

Arsenio Alagenio of the disaster council said the activity aimed to come up with clear disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) guidelines and framework based on provincial situation analysis and findings of Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau.

“The provincial government needs a collective effort to craft strategic plans for human-induced or natural disasters in order to reduce risk and better management in terms of disaster preparedness, prevention and mitigation, response, rehabilitation and recovery in Bukidnon—in case disaster strikes,” he said.

The planning strategy advocates for adoption of a policy of self-reliance in each vulnerable community that comprise capability building as well as allocation and efficient use of resources.

It also underscores involvement and active participation of the people in disaster reduction, prevention and preparedness, leading to improved risk management.

Trainers were composed of officials from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Alagenio, who is also the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer and Vice-Chairperson on Disaster Response, said the activity is part of the 2012 disaster preparedness plan, which was formulated by the Bukidnon PDRRMC early this year during its first meeting for 2012.

The provincial government of Bukidnon through its calamity fund backs the two-day training.

“Participated by nearly 30 PDRRMC members composed of local DRRM executive officers, national government agencies, and private organizations, the planning workshop’s output will help address problems on climate change adaptation and DRRM projects implementation thus saving lives of people in times of disaster,” he further said. (PIA 10, Bukidnon)