Sustainable Initiatives Led by Local Experts

Courtesy Call to the Local Government Unit of the Municipality of Bagac, Bataa

            The project team from the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) held a courtesy call to selected officials of the Municipality of Bagac, Bataan last December 13, 2010. The two-fold objectives of the visit are the following: 1). to reiterate the commitment of the center to provide capacity building on Disaster Risk Reduction to its partner communities as stipulated during two post-Ondoy workshops held at DLSU in 2009 and 2). to initially ascertain the commitment of both parties to undertake this joint initiative.

            De La Salle University Manila (DLSU) has long been a partner of the mentioned LGU in specific developmental initiatives in the municipality since 2008. COSCA in partnership with the Jaime Hilario Integrated School (JHIS) has been instrumental in the formation of the Sitio Looc Municipal Fishers Association (SLMFA), a local people’s organization based in the coastal community along Looc Bay.  This Lasallian partnership project has also managed to construct 30 housing units for approximately 30 fisher-families relocated from the disaster prone foreshore to a relatively safe area within the school compound.  

            The project team led by Ms. Isabel Lanada, Project Technical Facilitator and Mr. Rolando Palma, Project Community Organizer met with Mr. Rommel Vasquez Del Rosario, Local Chief Executive of Bagac, Bataan and Mr. Guillermo Mendoza Jr his Vice Mayor and Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Bayan (local legislative council).  The meeting focused on the localization of Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Act of 2010, a comprehensive piece of legislation mandating disaster preparedness for communities.  Their discussion centered on the law specifically on the role of the local government units in partnership with private sectors to restructure existing local disaster mechanisms to fit the requirements of the new law and to assure disaster resiliency of the communities.

            The team was also fortunate to have met Ms. Eugenia Galvez, the Municipal Administrator who expressed openness of her office to participate in the said initiative and their willingness to integrate DRR concerns within the Municipal Development Plan for 2011. It can be said that the highlight of the visit is the commitment of the LGU to allocate five percent of their Internal Revenue Allocation (IRA) for DRR activities and the passage of a new municipal ordinance on Disaster Management to conform with the existing national legal framework,

November 30, 2010

ACTIVITY REPORT

Lian MDRRMC Brainstorming/planning for the year 2011

ATTENDANCE: 

1. Raymunda P. Banaag (MHO)
2. Deonito A. Jonson (MAO)
3. Norman E. Mendoza (Office of the Mayor)
4. Anselmo R. Astilla (MFARMC)
5. Ariel b. Casihan (PO)
6. Rey Pomarca (COSCA-DLSU)
7. Alvin M. Jonson (MENRO)
8. Valentina E. De Los Reyes ( MSDWDO)
9. Maria Isabel Lanada (COSCA-DLSU)
10. James Concio (PO)
11. Ramil De La Cruz

Objectives of the brainstorming, meeting, planning re:  Lian MDRRMC Program for the year 2011:

1. To be able to gather initial know how of MDCC on Disaster Management.
2. To come up initial MDRRMC plan for the year 2011.
3. To identify gaps in Disaster Management and formulate resolutions/recommendations.
4. Review and make recommendations to MDCC old structure.

Flow of discussion:

1. Opening Prayer, expectation check and introduction of participants
2.  Opening Remarks/message from Mr. Alvin Jonson and Ms. Suzett Vergara re: MDRRMC brainstorming context. (Miss Vergara not present/attended Liga ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan election)
3. Presentation of current MDCC structure and proposed roles and responsibilities of each committee (c/o Mr. Alvin Jonson)
4. Input:  RA 10121 “An act strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System providing for the NATIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION  AND MANAGEMENT PLAN, appropriating funds therefore and for other purposes” also known as “THE PHILIPPINE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2010” PDRRM Act of 2010 (c/o Isabel Lanada)
5. Presentation and review of current MDCC plan (c/o Alvin Jonson)
6. Review and drafting of MDRMMC structure, roles and responsibilities, and plans (c/o Isabel Lanada)
7. Plenary: Presentation of collated MDRMMC plans and roles and responsibilities of committees (for review and critique)
8. Feed backing/assessment

Introduction and rapport building was facilitated by the DRR technical facilitator.  (Please see above names of attendees).

EXPECTATIONS:

1. To formulate/develop plans and programs how to counter the adverse impact of disasters (“ makabuo ng mga hakbang upang makaiwas sa anumang sakuna at matinding tama nito”).
2. To learn methods and strategies in handling/confronting the impacts of disaster and how to manage in times of disaster or emergency situation (“ matuto sa mga strategy sa pagharap sa disaster pag dumating na lalo na pag emergency”)
3. Attend trainings and workshops (“makilahok sa mga pagsasanay”)
4. Learn how to manage our oceans and seas for environmental preservations and conservations.
5. Talk about how to help our fellow countrymen and talk about how to manage and help victims of disaster (“pag-usapan paano ang wastong pagtulong at pagbabantay sa panahon ng kalamidad, pag-usapan paano makatulong sa mga nasalanta”)

QUESTIONS/RESOLUTIONS RE: RA 10121

• Urgency to lobby the formulation and approval of municipal ordinance re: DRR.
• Invite representative from the OCD to discuss details of the RA 10121 specifically the mandatory concerns in the installation of MDRRMO and financial management.
• Draft initial municipal ordinance and easily recommend to the SB for their review and approval.
• Convene MDCC/MDRRMC in January to discuss and review the structure and come up resolutions and plans of actions.
• Responsibilities and organizational concerns: 1 municipality affected, in-charge will be the MDRRMC and not the PDRRMC or RDRRMC.  Two or more will be for the RDMMC or PDRRMC.
• 1 baranggay affected, in-charge will be the BDRRMC, two or more Baranggays affected; in-charge will be the MDRRMC.
• The need to clarify the 5%  (30% for disaster response, 70% will be allotted to mitigation, disaster preparedness and mitigation) and therefore there is a need to discuss the details/plans and for approval of SB.
• MENRO/MDCC chairwoman received memorandum from the local COA re” calamity fund which is stated as National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund or NDRRM Fund”.  For review and study of MENRO and MDCC/MDRRMC.

Notes:

• IEC activities in Lian are in preparation for July 2011 in celebration/commemoration of National Disaster Month all over the country.  It was also advised to conduct municipal wide forum in preparation of National Disaster Month major program (launching campaign).
• Recommend faculties/students to conduct thesis/research re: impacts of Absolute factory/refinery factory (alcohol) in Baranggay Malaruhatan and Bagong Pook to come up second opinion/studies.