South Cotabato commends most disaster-ready LGUs

By Danilo E. Doguiles

Thursday 2nd of August 2012

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Aug 2 (PIA) -- The provincial government of South Cotabato commended local government units (LGUs) that have shown readiness against calamities as part of the culmination of the Disaster Consciousness Month celebration on Tuesday.

Surrallah LGU was named to have the most disaster-prepared Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), followed by the LGUs of Polomolok and Tupi.

As part of the commendation, Surallah MDRRMO received cash prize of P30,000 while Polomolok and Tupi received P20,000 and P15,000, respectively.

Koronadal City DRRMO also received P30,000 as most disaster prepared city LGU. Its Barangay Carpenter Hill was also named to have the best BDRRMO in the urban category.

Awarded best BDRRMOs in rural category were Poblacion, Tantangan; Cebuano, Tupi; and Bukay Pait, Tantangan with cash prizes of P30,000, P20,000 and P15,000, respectively.

Isidro Janita, head of the provincial DRRMO of South Cotabato, said the evaluation of the city, municipal, and barangay LGUs on their preparations against disasters and their effects was spearheaded by the PDRRMO, Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Office of Civil Defense.

Among those assessed are local governments' plans on disaster mitigation and response measures.

At the awarding rites, he told participants that “South Cotabato is no longer typhoon-free. Climate change is now very evident.”

“Even our people should be aware and should be alert for whatever disaster and calamity that could occur in your areas,” he said.

He also saluted LGUs that have allocated funds for disaster preparation, although he confirmed most of these are not sufficient.

“This year, the provincial government has allotted P42 million for this, but even this is not enough to buy the needed equipment and other preparations,” he said.

The winning LGUs will represent the province in the regional evaluation. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)