DILG eyes Bogo City as model

CEBU, Philippines - Other local government units in the country want to replicate a proposed ordinance in Bogo City which seeks to establish a system of disaster preparedness in the family, said an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

 Willie Jean Cabanag, focal person for Disaster Risk Reduction Management-Climate Change Adaptation Programs of DILG-7, said they will soon come up with a policy making Bogo City’s disaster program dubbed as Information Management in Preparation for Disasters or “I.M. PrepareD” as model to other LGUs in the country.

“Ang gi-push gyod karon is family disaster preparedness. Na-interested ang department ani sa good practice sa City of Bogo nga family disaster preparedness gyod ba. So gi-recommend sa DILG-7 didto sa central nga ipa-replicate,” she said during a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Summit on Tuesday.

She added the scheme under the said program caught the interest of DILG Undersecretary for local government Austere Panadero during his meeting with the city officials in Bogo last July 14.

The Bogo City’s ordinance institutionalizing the I.M PrepareD program for families, barangays, schools and business establishment is now up for second reading.

Under the said program, each family, barangay, school and business would be required to post in a conspicuous place in their facilities the emergency and evacuation maps, emergency directories, and emergency kit checklists to prepare them for disasters.

They would also be mandated to formulate a Family Evacuation Map approved by the LDRRMO, Family Communications Plan, and set up a food and water storage container capable for three-day supply in the advent of a disaster.

“Kinahanglan gyod ang communication plan kay sa disaster magkatibulaag unya, so magkasabot na mo daan asa mo dapita magkita,” Cabanag explained.

Ben Fredrick Rodriguez, Local DRRM officer of Bogo City and the proponent of the program, said barangay officials and local DRRM personnel would train the families regarding the system in the program.

 Under the ordinance, non-compliant family would be directed to sign a waiver that they shall be the last to be evacuated and the last to receive relief goods and other benefits intended for disaster victims.

 The barangays would also be required to register each family, school and business for compliance with the I.M. PrepareD Program and update the LDRRMO with baseline data quarterly.

 Rodriguez said baseline data would be used as basis for recovery and assessment of damage.

 As to the implementation of the program in schools, pupils as early as in their first grade would already be trained on disaster preparedness.

 Schools would be mandated to integrate in curriculum the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and conduct a quarterly evacuation drill.  (FREEMAN)