Philippines: Cebu Gov. calls on LGUs to promote community DRR training
Cebu City - Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia directed all component local government units (LGUs) under the province to actively promote and participate in the ‘Community Defense Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Trainings (CDDRRMT) as part of the necessary measure to prepare and cope in times of disasters amid the continuing onslaught of bad weather conditions due to the La Niña.
Provincial Executive Order No. 02 recently signed by Garcia, mandates LGUs to take active participation of the CDDRRMT to be spearheaded by the 7th Regional Community Defense Group (RCDG), ARESCOM, in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD-7).
The EO states ‘recent events have shown that calamities and disasters, whether natural or human-induced, can strike without warning with devastating effects on people’s lives and properties’ causing misery and destruction which necessitates prompt actions from the local communities themselves to be resilient and be prepared at all times.
As such, the Provincial Government will sponsor the 30-day training on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management which will be conducted in the cities and municipalities of Cebu to be attended by barangay tanods, Bantay Dagat members, ROTC graduates and retired police and military personnel among others.
Trainings will focus on the following: Disaster Relief and Rescue Operations, Fire Prevention and Suppression, Fight Against Illegal Drugs and Illegal Fishing, Environmental Protection, Maintenance of Peace and Order and other related socio-economic activities.
The 7th RCDG, ARESCOM manifested its intention to conduct the trainings in line with its mission of the Reserve Force, pursuant to RA 7077 otherwise known as the AFP Reservist Act, to assist in relief and rescue operations, disaster and calamities.
Garcia’s EO is also pursuant to RA No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk reduction and Management Act of 2010 where section 2 states the need to strengthen the country’s institutional capacity for disaster risk reduction and management and building the resilience of local communities including climate change impacts.
The law also stipulates the creation in every province of a Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to be headed by the Governor and a Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office whose functions include the conduct of trainings, orientation and knowledge management activities on disaster risk reduction and management at the local level.
Cebu experienced heavy flooding mid last month as rains continued to pound with one loss of life reported and damaged houses inundated with flood, stranded vehicles and commuters as LGUs are currently removing shanties along its riverbanks to ensure the safety of its residents. (PIA-Cebu/Fayette C. Riñen)