Sustainable Initiatives Led by Local Experts

The  Local Government Unit (LGU) of  Lian, Batangas, in partnership with the De La Salle University-Center for Social Concern and Action (DLSU-COSCA) conducted a series  of  orientation training  on the salient features of  the Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Act of 2010 (Republic Act No. 10121).  The  orientation which primarily  aims  to  enhance the  capacities of  local government  units such as the LGU Lian  focused particularly on two major topics: a)  Relief Delivery Operations (RDO) and  b)  Evacuation Management

Eighteen (18) Municipal DRMM  Officers  participated in the  orientation training  held  last  February  5 to 6, 2013 at the municipal conference hall  of  Lian, Batangas.  A similar  series of  training  participated  by  the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Officers (BDRRMOs)  were conducted in the session halls  of Barangay  San Diego, Lian, Batangas  (attended by  31 BDRRMOs) on February  11 to 13, 2013,  Barangay  Bungahan  (attended by  26 BDRRMOs)on  February  21 to 21, 2013, and  Barangay Cumba (attended by  25 BDRRMOs) on February 28, 2013.   

Mr. Norman Mendoza, Lian’s  Municipal DRRMO shared  that the orientation which aimed at informing the local DRMMOs  on the major changes and improvements on the disaster management system in the country was relevant.  According  to Mr. Mendoza, the training  served as venue for  them as  Municiapal DRMMOs to  better  understand  and appreciate the new DRRM Law. 

The said series of  Disaster Preparedness Training  were  implemented  by  DLSU-COSCA in partnership  with the  LGU Lian (Batangas) to help facilitate the institutionalization of  relevant systems and mechanisms for better disaster risk reduction and management at the local level.  The sessions  paved the way for the establishment of  Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees (BDRRMC’s)  in the three (3) pilot barangays of  Lian.   Major  output  of the  training  includes  the  following: a) the  development  by the local councils  of their own evacuation management plans,  b) drafting  of   resolutions/ordinances for the formation of  the organization of the Barangay DRRM Council  for  each barangay, and c)  development  of the Disaster Risk Reduction Plan for 2013.

In 2011 to 2012,  members of  the Municipal DRRMC  attended an orientation conducted by the DLSU-COSCA on the DRRM Act of  2010 (RA 10121)  and on Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 for them to appreciate the new law and its implementing rules and regulations.  Relative to this, the DLSU-COSCA Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Coordinator Maria Isabel B. Lanada has conducted an executive forum for Lian’s  local chief executives  (LCEs)in the municipality.  The  forum  for the LCEs aimed to inform them  on the relevance of organizing  the MDRRMC,  the  need to establish  the DRRMOs and the Operation Centers (OPCENs)  in their respective localities,  on the utilization and allocation of the local DRRM Fund and on  the interventions that  need to be sought from the national and other funding sources.

The death toll from Tropical Cyclone Pablo (Bopha) breached the 1,000 mark as it hit 1,020 as of Sunday morning December 30, 2012 the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. In its 5 a.m. report, the NDRRMC also said that at least 2,662 were injured while 844 remain missing in the wake of Pablo, which devastated parts of Mindanao and Visayas. Also, the NDRRMC noted the number of people affected by Pablo has exceeded six million, with 701,224 families or 6,203,826 people affected. Of these, 6,937 families or 27,813 people are still staying in 60 evacuation centers. The NDRRMC also said 63,040 houses were destroyed while 95,544 were damaged. Damaged caused by Pablo was estimated at P24,160,920,528.05, including: - P16, 350,529,805.05 in agriculture - P7, 761,431,310 in infrastructure - P48, 959,413 in private properties - LBG, GMA News Meanwhile, Br. Ophelia Fugoso, President of De La Salle John Bosco College (DLSJBC) Bislig, Surigao del Sur sent a letter of appeal to De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) asking for financial and in-kind donations. DLSJBC spearheaded our ONE LA SALLE Initiative for the Affected Families of Typhoon Pablo. DLSJBC thru its Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council continued its Relief Delivery Operation (RDO) Municipality of Lingig, the town that borders Surigao del Sur and hardly hit Davao Oriental. Below are the contributions of the different La Salle schools. A. In-Kind Donations: DLSU-Dasmarinas DLSU-CSB DLSU-Manila 180 boxes of assorted relief items (toiletries, clothes, noodles, water, medicines). Sent through De La Salle -College of Saint Benilde partner regional center of Citizen's Disaster Response Center-MISFI La Salle ASMC was able to sent 1,235 pieces canned goods, 885 packs noodles and 681 packs rice sent through ABS CBN Sagip Kapamilya. De La Salle Zobel 180 pieces assorted toys and 560 pieces of story books and activity books (will be distributed this coming January 13, 2012 DLSP-LJPC Team Field Visit in Baganga, Davao Oriental) DLSJBC "Bundles of Joy" 89,443.40 At present, affected families are also in dire need of light construction materials for their temporary shelters. Other materials such as old tarpaulins, plastic sheets, medicines, shoes and slippers, educational and food supplies for the affected families. You can drop it off at De La Salle University- Manila South Gate. Meanwhile, the De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) - Lasallian for Justice and Peace Commission (LJPC) National Coordinator Miss Ma. Lourdes F. Melegrito will be sending a team composed of DLSU-Manila and DLSU-Dasmarinas to conduct Damage, Needs, and Capacities Assessment (DNCA) this coming January 12 to 15, 2013 to further evaluate the current situation and needs of the adopted communities and come up upcoming activities for our ONE LASALLE Disaster Management Program.##