PDRRMC AgSur convenes to finalize update of Disaster Risk Reduction Plan

By David M. Suyao

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 9 (PIA) - Members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) here convened on Tuesday to finalize the updated Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Plan that would become the official provincial guide in order that duty holders could efficiently and effectively respond in times of calamities and disasters.

According to PDRRM Action Officer Roberto Natividad, the province of Agusan del Sur has considered only five major hazards that are experienced every year, and were made to be the basis in preparing the disaster plan.

“The five major hazards that we observed here in Agusan del Sur are flood, typhoon earthquake, rain-induced landslide and armed conflict. In our last meeting, we agree to focus on these five major hazards, and therefore, we have prepared a contingency plan in order that we can immediately and efficiently respond in case these hazards that cause disaster and calamities come,” Natividad said.

According to Natividad, the updated plan covers the vision, mission and goals of the council in relation to occurrence of disasters and calamities. Considered first is the prevention or the mitigation plan, where massive tree planting and the establishment of the early warning system were considered. Second consideration is preparedness and according to Natividad, "this is where a contingency plan plays the most important role, including the forging of the Memorandum of Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding between civil society organizations and the private sector for strong partnership with the government."

“During the actual occurrence of any hazard, the response of the duty holders, and that is our council and the civil society volunteers comes in. We are therefore to deploy immediately the Damage Assessment needs Analysis teams in all levels in order to determine the extent of damages that the hazard brought. Response teams will also be deployed in order to handle the evacuation centers, while designating exclusive places or areas for livestock, poultry and pets in order for them not to be living together with evacuees for safety and health reason,” Natividad said.

After the actual occurrence of hazard, rehabilitation and recovery will follow in order that affected families can return to normal life and recover from loses caused by the calamity.

“Here, the Department of Education plays the most important role in order that they can establish even temporary learning space in the evacuation centers. Immediate repair and rehabilitation of power supply, water and irrigation system including communication facilities is much needed. Relocation area for those whose houses were damaged and were located in hazard prone areas is of much importance for affected families to recover and live a normal life,” Natividad added.

For the contingency plan finalization, soft copies will be sent to all members to review and input any comment and suggestion so that it can be submitted to the RDRRMC on time next week. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)