BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — With onset of rainy season and the looming threat of La Niña, the Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CRDRRMC) reminds the local government units in the region on their important role in ensuring disaster preparedness in their respective areas of responsibility.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Regional Director Araceli San Jose, the CRDRRMC vice chairperson for disaster preparedness, reiterated the reminder during the 2nd Quarter Full Council meeting.
“With the CRDRRRMC’s pro-active slogan of ‘Sa Cordillera, Bida ang Handa,’ we must ensure that we are ready all the time, and continue on intensifying our preventive measures. We also hope that our LGUs, being in the forefront, take the lead,” San Jose stressed.
The DILG-CAR presented during the meeting the CRDRRMC La Niña Preparedness Plan that provides procedures, protocols and compendium of all available disaster preparedness policies and plans that the council member agencies and local DRRM councils are mandated to undertake to ensure pro-active efficient and effective preparedness and response readiness.
The CRDRRMC also looked into the harmonization of the augmentation protocols on food and non – food items of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Office of Civil Defense and the Department of Health for more effective and efficient disaster or emergency response actions.
Based on the PAGASA Climate Outlook, six to nine tropical cyclones are expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility from July to September, and around 10 to 16 TCs up to the end of the year. PAGASA forecast also shows a 50 percent chance that La Niña will develop by October to December.
Aside from hydrometeorological risk and hazards, San Jose also reminded LGUs and local DRRM councils to look into emerging and notifiable diseases in their respective communities with the DOH reporting an uptrend of dengue cases in the region.
From January 1 to June 15, there were 3,198 reported cases, a 55 percent increase compared to the 2,066 cases during the same period in 2023. Four dengue – related deaths were already recorded, Karen Lonogan of the DOH – CAR reported.
Increasing cases of influenza and respiratory illnesses and the continuing threat of COVID – 19 were also reported.
The LGUs are encouraged to take the lead in addressing the increasing data of infectious diseases by ensuring that health – related localized policies are implemented. (CCD/PIA CAR)
