Sustainable Initiatives Led by Local Experts

The Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) of the De La Salle University conducted a municipal wide orientation on the integration of Climate Change Adaptation and DRRM to Local Government Unit of Lian, Batangas last October 19, 2012.

Twenty two (22) members of their Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council participated in one-day session facilitated by Ms. Maria Isabel Lanada of DLSU-COSCA and Mr. Alvin Jonson from Municipal Environmental & Natural Resources Office (MENRO).

Mr. Jonson presented scientific studies conducted by De La Salle University College of Science (DLSU-COS) and University of the Philippines (UP) about the impacts of Climate Change in the municipality of Lian, Batangas. According to the researches, the municipality was categorized as high risk in Tsunami in Region IV-A. It also revealed that  the area ranks low in its capacities (reduce production of target species in marine and fresh water systems) and therefore there is an urgent need to continue its programs relevant to climate change adaptation and environmental preservation such as mangrove nurseries/planting, tree planting, and ensure the strict compliance and implementation of the Marine Protected Area (MPA). 

Municipal Mayor Osita Vergara and Municipal Accountant Genrisa Medrano suggested to MDRRMC to duplicate/replicate its best practices in Coastal Resource Management in Barangay Lumaniag to all coastal barangays in Lian as part of its mitigation program. 

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Officer Randy Oliquino facilitated the orientation on Incident Management System; he presented proposed emergency response management and handling system during disaster. While Chief Laguardia of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) gave orientation and demonstration on fire prevention and fire drills.  They also demonstrated various forms of firemen carry to capacitate the members of MDRRMC.  In line with this, they also presented how to use the fire extinguisher and what are the various types of fire and tips before during and after fire event.

At the end of the session, Ms. Lanada as the DLSU-DRR Program Coordinator facilitated the discussion in preparation for municipal wide fire and tsunami drill and exercises on November 8-10, 2012, as well as the review of DRR 2012 plan and other pending DRR activities.