MARAWI CITY (PIA) — The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Council of Lanao del Sur has approved and endorsed four updated contingency plans to address major natural hazards to improve the province’s disaster preparedness and response.
The approved plans—covering flooding, landslides, typhoons, and earthquakes— were approved by the Council during its 4th quarter meeting on December 12, 2024 , and will be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for adoption.
Provincial DRRM Officer Shaminoden M. Sambitory emphasized the critical need to revise these plans annually, noting the unpredictable impacts of climate change and the province’s vulnerability to various natural disasters. “While we have had contingency plans in previous years, we must ensure that they are updated each year to reflect the changing realities of our environment and the risks we face,” he said.
In addition to the four natural hazard contingency plans, Sambitory expressed hopes that, by next year, the Council will also adopt a contingency plan addressing human-induced crises, particularly armed conflict.
“This is of utmost importance, and as such, we are collaborating with the security sector to develop a comprehensive contingency plan for armed conflict,” he added. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)
