LEGAZPI CITY, Albay (PIA) — From being victims and survivors to becoming victors, thanks to their effective disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) strategies.
That’s how Albay Governor Edcel Lagman described the transformation of the people of Albay at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai.
During a panel discussion on regional cooperation for local resilience, Lagman emphasized his province’s best practices on DRRM.
Lagman, the only governor from the Philippines chosen as a panelist for the event, stressed that his people went from being victims to survivors and ultimately victors.
The Philippine delegation at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai. (Photo courtesy of Albay Public Information Office)
Albay is located in a geographically hazardous area, which makes it prone to various natural disasters.
The most significant hazards include typhoons, torrential rains, and flooding, which can cause severe damage and mudflows, especially on the slopes of Mayon Volcano. Mayon is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines.
According to a recent report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Mayon eruption has displaced nearly 18,000 individuals.
Despite these disasters, Albay has been able to achieve its zero-casualty goal for almost two decades.
“Albay has, for the past more or less three decades, been able to maintain a zero-casualty record. While there were a couple of disasters where lives were lost, we have adhered to the principles of zero casualty,” Lagman said.
He also mentioned that the public responded actively to the advisories issued by the provincial government.
“We would like to attribute the success of that principle to the fact that it is already like Albayanos that whenever evacuation protocols need to be undertaken, communities follow all the protocols in the shortest allotted time for them to respond accordingly and not suffer further loss of lives,” he said.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. (third from left) affirms Albay’s efficient evacuation protocols and strategies. (Photo courtesy: Albay Public Information Office)
In the same discussion, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. participated as a panelist and confirmed the effectiveness of Albay’s evacuation protocols and strategies.
“I would like to commend the evacuation protocols and strategy of Albay. They can evacuate so many people in one hour. Albay is a perennial winner in resiliency,” Abalos said.
Sanny Jegillos, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) senior advisor on disaster risk reduction, noted Albay’s significant reduction in casualties, specifically during the eruption of Mt. Mayon.
“This is exactly what we want to see, available solutions that are led by local government units. Albay has been the role model for decades. With the Mt. Mayon eruption, Albay has zero casualty despite the multi-dimensional hazard and risk in the country,” Jegillos said.
Albay is one of the 11 provinces that have been identified by the UNDP as vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
In response to this, the UNDP has implemented the Strengthening Institutions and Empowering Localities against Disasters and Climate Change program in Albay, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Cagayan, Cebu, Davao Oriental, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Pampanga, Pangasinan, and Quezon to help mitigate the effects of climate change. (PIA 5/Albay)
