RA 1
0121 (Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010), RA 9729 (Climate Change Act) and RA 6975 (DILG Act) mandate the Department of the Interior and Local Government as Vice-Chairperson on Disaster Preparedness in the NDRRMC to build the capacities of LGUs to effectively address and mitigate the impacts of disaster and calamities by formulating plans, policies and programs.
In response to this, the DILG initiated and developed a comprehensive program entitled Enhancing LGU Capacity on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management. It has three (3) components namely: (1) Diagnostic- evaluation, assessment and checking of capacity and resources of LGUs in terms of disaster preparedness; (2) Institutional Capacity- orientation-briefing on DRR/CCA, Mainstreaming DRR/CCA into the Local Processes and Systems; and (3) Infrastructure Audit and Financial Resources.
This year, DILG R3 has targeted three (3) pilot LGUs in the Region with which to conduct two locally funded trainings on Mainstreaming DRR/CCA into local processes. The Province of Tarlac and its three LGUs –Tarlac City, Capas and Gerona are the first beneficiaries of this program.
The first activity was the Training on Rationalized Planning System held on January 24-25, 2012 at Maharajah Hotel, Angeles City. A total of 85 participants attended the activity to include the Sangguniang Panlungsod/Pambayan Chairman on Appropriations, four (4) representatives from each Sectoral Committees and DILG Personnel. It was designed to enhance the pilot LGUs capacity on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation by mainstreaming DRRM/CCA into Local Development Plans particularly on their Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP).
One of the highlights of the activity was the MOA signing between DILG R3, Bureau of Fire Protection Region 3 and the three pilot LGUs of Tarlac represented by their respective LCEs, on the provision of subsidy fund that shall be used for the procurement of early warning systems, preparedness equipment and other equipage.
Another component of this activity was the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) Training held on January 26-28, 2012 at the same venue. This training was designed to capacitate one representative from each sectoral group, Punong Barangay and Kagawad from the five identified barangays from each LGU which are most vulnerable to disasters, on CBDRM. It was divided into four modules: (1) Municipal/Barangay Disaster Situation; (2) DRRM, CBDRRM and Adaptation; (3) Preparedness and Mitigation Risk Reduction Measures; and (4) Flood Preparedness and Mitigation Planning. Resource Speakers from Center for Disaster Prevention Foundation Inc. were invited to discuss these modules. Furthermore, two representatives from Bureau of Local Government and Development were present to monitor the activity and share their insights.
As a concluding activity, participants were required to make action plans and produce different tools (Hazard Mapping, Historical Timeline, Social Venn Diagram, 3Ks and Historical Profile) which can be useful in the formulation of their DRRM Plans.
