Capitol inks pact for disaster readiness

The Cebu provincial government will partner with a group of companies to improve disaster preparedness in calamity-hit areas in Cebu through a community-based approach.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide is set to enter into an agreeement with the Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR) after being authorized by the Provincial Board (PB) in its session yesterday.

Dubbed the “Noah’s Ark Project,” CNDR will conduct disaster risk management trainings, workshops and drills for responders and officials in high-risk areas in the province starting this month.

Under the project, members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), town and city representatives will undergo contingency planning workshops.

These sessions will also help them plan hazard and resources maps of their respective municipalities. Drills will also be held by the CNDR in barangays in Cebu.

The local officials are expected to facilitate the integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaption in  development plans and budget of their local government units (LGUs).

CNDR’s partners– Smart Communications Inc., Petron Foundation Inc., Prudence Foundation Limited and Pru Life UK will sponsor the program.

“If possible it will also explore the application of Smart’s technologies such as project rain gauge, automatic weather system and info board as part of the local early warning systems at the provincial level,” the draft agreement stated.

The Cebu provincial government is asked to provide disaster-related data and information for the project and identify participants.