COTABATO CITY (PIA) — The government of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is now in the process of finalizing its six-year recovery and rehabilitation plan for Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Paeng-affected areas, a year after wreaking havoc on at least 10 Bangsamoro communities.
Once approved, it will be used as the basis for the construction of new houses for around 1,000 families whose homes were totally damaged by STS Paeng.
In a video message, BARMM chief minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim has assured the victims of the STS Paeng that the BARMM government will move forward toward a long-term recovery plan to addres their concerns.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim shares some of the efforts of the Bangsamoro Government in finalizing its six-year recovery and rehabilitation plan for victims of the Severe Tropical Storm (STS) ‘Paeng’, a year after ravaging hundreds of homes in the Bangsamoro region. (Photo courtesy of the Bangsamoro Government)
“This comprehensive plan, which incorporates the learnings that we obtained from STS Paeng and other recent emergencies arising from both natural and human-induced hazards, will ensure a more holistic approach to disaster risk reduction and management in the region,” Ebrahim said.
The plan, covering the period of 2023–2028, will serve as a guide for the identification and planning of programs, projects, and activities that would address the rehabilitation and recovery of the ten most affected municipalities in BARMM and other areas hit by STS Paeng.
Included in the list of the most affected municipalities are Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Sultan Mastura, Upi, Guindulungan, Parang in Maguindanao, Balabagan in Lanao del Sur, Maluso in Basilan, Patikul in Sulu, and Bongao in Tawi-Tawi.
According to Ebrahim, the Bangsamoro Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC) will develop the plan, which will be implemented by the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA).
“This plan with earmark funding from the regional government is currently being finalized by the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority,” he said.
Ebrahim also shared that before the Bangsamoro rehabilitation and recovery plan could even be started, they had to first conduct a post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) last year since the report was crucial as the primary basis for formulating the plan.
“The regional government, through the Bangsamoro DRRM Council’s Early Recovery Cluster led by the Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi), has been continuously implementing key programs, projects, and activities to ensure unhampered assistance to the victims of STS Paeng in this transition period,” he emphasized.
A soldier rescues a child during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm (STS) ‘Paeng’ in the municipality of Parang, Maguindanao del Norte. (Photo courtesy of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division)
It can be recalled that in March of this year, the Bangsamoro government, through the BPDA, conducted a series of workshops and public consultations in areas affected by the typhoon.
BPDA Director General Mohajirin Ali explained that the many activities undertaken were preparations to ensure that the six-year plan is developed with insights from past disasters and emergencies in the region and to build understanding among individuals and organizations in the plan’s formulation process.
With this development, the BARMM government hopes that this project will serve as an opportunity for all the Bangsamoro people to collectively push forward its common goal of building a better, safer, and more disaster-resilient region. (LTB – PIA Cotabato City)
