Cebu’s disaster czar yesterday reminded barangay captains to organize their own disaster risk reduction and management offices and start planning how to mitigate the effects of calamities in their resepective areas.
Task Force Paglig-on chief Baltazar Tribunalo advised the barangay captains to implement the “purok system” using the four windows of disaster risk reduction – preparedness, response and mitigation, rehabilitation and recovery.
Tribunalo, who also heads the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), spoke before close to 800 barangay officials on the second day of their annual convention in Cebu City.
“For me, this is a very good opportunity because the convention also tackles other topics such as drugs, welfare of women and children, if you sum it up, it’s a good way to build resilience in Cebu, not just in DRR,” he told reporters.
He pointed out that barangays can start by identifying risk areas through a hazard map.
This will complement with the province’s hazard map which identifies areas that are most vulnerable to various disasters such as floods, typhoons, landslides and storm surges, he said.
“We are here to identify our goals, plans, budget and local laws needed to start the office,” he explained.
Every month, his office will monitor the progress of the barangays in coming up with the office and check the quality and integrity of their programs.
Meanwhile, Tribunalo lauded Cebu’s mayors who were hands-on when typhoon Glenda passed by the country yesterday.
He cited the efforts of the local disaster response team of Medellin town where a fishing boat capsized at the height of the storm.
There were no casualties recorded in the province.
“In fairness (sic), we were not hit hard by Glenda but a lot of officials were calling and asking us for updates. It means they are very much alive. That’s a very good manifestation that people are now conscious,” he said.
Republic Act 10121 or the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 requires municipal and city governments to create a Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) and a separate DRRM unit for every barangay.
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