Philippines: 'Include DRR plans in local government plans' - NEDA

PIA press release by Andrew Doga-ong

Bontoc, Mt. Province - There is a need to integrate disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation plans in the programs of local governments.

Thus stressed Rodolfo Labarinto of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) – CAR in a recent briefing and orientation on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA).

This was participated in by some local officials, heads, and representatives of the various local and national government offices here.

Labarinto said the Philippines, the Cordillera region in particular, is exposed to various hazards. He said the country, being located along the “Ring of Fire,” makes it vulnerable to earthquake and volcanic hazards.

He added that the Cordillera provinces being near the Western Pacific Basin, a generator of climactic conditions, has a minimum 31 to a maximum of 60 tropical cyclone passages in a given year in which five usually cause major damages.

Data show that climactic-related risks are attributed to the almost 50 percent of deaths and about 80 percent of economic losses.Trend shows climactic-related risks are increasing while disaster is deepening.

Labarinto said natural hazards and climactic risks are natural events that we cannot stop from happening but we can mitigate their impact.

He said local government units should formulate and implement disaster risk reduction and climate change action strategies.

Labarinto said NEDA is assisting 50 pilot provinces in its DRR/CCA Mainstreaming Project which aims to integrate mitigating mechanisms or concerns of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation into their respective Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plans.

Pilot provinces for the project in the Cordillera region are Abra, Benguet, and Mountain Province. * (PIA CAR, Mt. Prov.)