Barangays urged: Craft own disaster risk reduction plan

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government wants all the barangays to revitalize and formulate their own disaster risk reduction and management plans as precautionary measure for future typhoons.

The Cebu City Council passed last Wednesday a resolution requesting the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) to advise all 80 barangays to seriously consider crafting their respective disaster risk reduction and management plan with emphasis on various climate change adaptation measures.

"This is aimed at building or strengthening people's capacities to prepare and address the effects of climate change to minimize casualties and damage to property," said Councilor Alvin Dizon, who sponsored the resolution.

The resolution also urged the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC) to monitor the compliance of all barangays on disaster preparedness and mitigation measures.

During its Environmental Leadership in Climate Change Adaptation training workshop, the Climate Change Commission said the country's typhoon belt has shifted from northern Luzon to the Visayas including southern Luzon, Masbate, Romblon, Boracay, Iloilo and northern Palawan.

It also advises local government units to take a proactive stance on climate adaptation measures to ensure minimal loss of lives or damage to property since the shift of the country's typhoon belt means that many communities which are not usually exposed to typhoons will now be vulnerable to the effects of typhoons such as flooding, storm surges and landslides.

"Scientists and experts have repeatedly emphasized the importance of climate adaptation since adaptation means anticipating the adverse effects of climate change and taking appropriate action to prevent or minimize the damage they can cause or taking advantage of opportunities that may arise. It has been shown that well planned, early adaptation action saves money and lives," Dizon said in his resolution. (FREEMAN)