Philippines: European Union allocates €384,000 for Saint Bernard disaster preparedness programs

Southern Leyte -- The European Union has provided at least €384,000 or P20 million for Disaster Risk Reduction programs for the municipality of Saint Bernard for five years of implementation of the disaster programs.

Michiko Quinto, Secretary on Political Press & Information Section of the Delegation of European Union of the Philippines, reported in a press statement, that EU disaster preparedness program aims at “ Improving the capacities of at-risk communities to prepare for and protect themselves from natural disasters.”

With the EU funds, the municipality of Saint Bernard contributed also P2.6 million as their counterpart. “The EU contribution is on top of other equally significant inputs of the local and international non-government organizations to the local government units,” she said.

It was learned that for year 2012-2013, the European Union allocated P130 million for disaster preparedness actions throughout the Philippines.

Quinto said that EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux is one of the guest speakers in the National Conference for Effective Disaster Risk Reduction and climate Change Adaptation Practices to be held today, September 28, at Saint Bernard, this province.

Sen.Loren Legarda, Chaiperson of the Senate Committee on Climate Change will also grace the activity.

“Ambassador Ledoux has witnessed the progress in the disaster risk reduction program in Leyte and has commended the collaborative efforts of the local government units, NGOs and the communities to help save lives and to lessen damages in times of disasters,” Quinto noted.

“The Saint Bernard experience is a good example of how local communities with the support of civil society organiations and collaboration with the local government authorities can spearhead collective action along disaster risk reduction,” Quinto quoted Ambassador Ledoux. (PIA8, Southern Leyte)