‘Activate disaster teams in barangays’

CEBU, Philippines - Taking inspiration from the disasters that have also affected Talisay City, the city council urged the 22 barangays of the city to activate individual Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees (BDRRMC).

City Councilor Danny Caballero, who authored the resolution in urging the city barangays of disaster preparedness, said that the call is under the mandate of Republic Act 10121 or the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010." The said law aims to widen the plans for the disaster preparedness.

Caballero said that Talisay City has followed the mandate of R.A. 10121 in having a Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (LDRRMC) and to develop the plans on the measures of climate change.

However, Caballero pointed out that the establishment of BDRRMC in every barangay is being provided under Section 12 of  R.A. 10121.

The barangay level is responsible for setting the direction, development, implementation and coordination of disaster risk management program under its area of jurisdiction.

The councilor explained that the barangay is the smallest political body in the country but has a big role in the community when it comes to assuring immediate response to any untoward incident, including the disasters.  (FREEMAN)