DILG readies disaster-prone LGUs for effects of climate change

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday said it has taken the first steps to make the country’s most disaster-prone local government units ready for the effects of climate change.

A memorandum of understanding has recently been signed between the DILG and seven provinces, two cities and 19 municipalities for the implementation of a project on disaster risk management and climate change adaptation.

Dubbed as “Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) - Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) to Local Government Systems and Processes,” the project aims to improve knowledge and awareness on the nature and extent of risks faced by the pilot LGUs, and to capacitate them on integrating disaster mitigation and prevention programs into local land use and development plans.

Signing the memorandum with the DILG were the local chief executives of the provinces of Bohol, Leyte, Laguna, Pampanga, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Zambales; the cities of Tandag and Calamba; and the municipalities of Loboc, Abuyog, Bay, Jagna, Dagami, Sta. Cruz, Inabanga, Tanauan, Lubao, Alegria, Botolan, Guagua, Tubod, Hinatuan, San Felipe, Candaba, Mainit, San Miguel and San Marcelino.

“With the increasing impacts of natural disasters and the compounding effects of climate change, we need to take a closer look at local government and developmental processes to ensure that our LGUs are more prepared and pro-active in dealing with them,” Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said.

He said “climate change proofing” has to commence so as not to feel sorry for the loss of lives and property that usually follow tragic disasters.

Robredo added that the funding for “climate-change proofing” of the concerned LGUs was partly supported by the World Bank which shelled out $450,000.

“We thank the World Bank for supporting us in our earnest effort to help the most vulnerable LGUs in the country, even as we assure you that the output of this endeavor will be replicated in other parts of the country,” he said.

With the signing of the memorandum, the concerned LGUs are expected to incorporate DRRM principles in local development planning, to craft appropriate local legislations to reduce risks in local communities, and to capacitate DRRM units to address local disaster concerns.

Under Republic Act 9729 or the Climate Change Act of 2009 and RA 10121 or the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, the DILG will take the lead in designing a capacity building program for LGUs on CCA and disaster risk reduction, and serve as vice-chair for preparedness.

According to the DILG, the Philippines has been identified as among the global disaster hotspots, and even ranks eighth among countries most exposed to multiple hazards.

ICRC lends hand

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has recently donated four more water-supply kits that could purify water in disaster-stricken areas in the country.

To be repositioned in four disaster high-risks areas, the water supply kits donations were initially placed under the care of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

Andres Casal, ICRC’s water and habitat coordinator, said that each water supply kit could purify gallons of water enough to supply 10,000 people within a disaster-stricken area.

These water purifying equipment are slated to be repositioned in Dagupan in Pangasinan, Roxas in Capiz and Legazpi in Bicol and in Tacloban in Eastern Visayas.

A water-supply kit includes a pump, water treatment unit, storage bladders and tap stands for distribution.

“One of the first problems you have to address during a disaster is access to drinking water because in most cases, the structures attached to drinking water are damaged. The high concentration of people in one place also leads to degradation of sanitary conditions, so you have to ensure water of good quality and quantity,” Casal in a press statement said.

He pointed out that the Philippines is extremely prone to disasters especially during rainy season.

“With the kits in place, trained PNRC volunteers would be able to install them in as short as half a day,” Casal said, adding that water-supply kits have been pre-positioned in Mindanao.

The donation, along with this year’s training of around 70 PNRC volunteers on water and sanitation, were aimed at improving disaster response since the experience of tropical storm “Ondoy” in 2009.

The ICRC had supported the PNRC’s efforts to distribute clean drinking water to families affected by the massive flooding at the height of Ondoy.

Although the ICRC’s task consists mainly in serving people affected by armed conflict, the organization said it is also prepared to support and work with the PNRC during major natural disasters, particularly in water and sanitation and restoring family links.