BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — In continuing efforts to enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities of local government units, the Department of the Interior and Local Government in the Cordillera region (DILG-CAR) led the crafting of a Disaster Preparedness Manual for Rain-Induced Landslides including its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
The DILG presented the initial draft of the manual to the Cordillera Regional Risk Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council member agencies during the 4th Quarter Special Meeting of the CRDRRMC Disaster Preparedness Pillar on November 4.
“We are here today to review, finalize, and endorse the Disaster Preparedness Manual for Rain-Induced Landslides, complete with Standard Operating Procedures. This manual is a critical addition to our preparedness strategy, ensuring that our localities are better prepared for hazards such as rain-induced landslides,” said DILG-CAR Regional Director Araceli San Jose, the CRDRRMC Vice Chairperson for Disaster Preparedness Pillar.
The DILG outlined the importance of the manual particularly in mountainous areas like the Cordilleras that experiences frequent landslides due to heavy rains. Landslides pose a direct threat to critical infrastructures such as roads, bridges and agricultural lands, and isolate communities in rural areas cutting transportation and access to essential services.
The Department of Public Works and Highways-Cordillera recorded 143 landslides with an estimated damage cost of P147.2 million during the two recent tropical cyclones Kristine and Leon alone.
This manual will not just be used in the Cordilleras but we will share it to all LGUs nationwide, San Jose said.
The DILG-CAR encouraged the CRDRRMC member agencies to further review and submit their comments/recommendations so that they can be incorporated before its presentation to the CRDRRMC 4th Quarter Full Council Meeting by the last week of November.
Upon approval by the CRDRRMC, it will be endorsed to the Local Government Academy for its adoption as Operation LISTO Disaster Preparedness Manual for Rain-Induced Landslides with SOP. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
