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   DILG R3, in line with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management/Climate Change Adaptation, (DRRM-CCA) program hosted a Consultation Conference on March 31, 2014 at Travelers Hotel, Subic, Zambales.  The activity is relative to the flooding and landslide that affected LGUs of Zambales due to the onslaught of heavy Southwest Monsoon Rains worsened by Typhoon “Oddette”.

   The consultation conference was aimed to address the risk of the reoccurrence of this tragedy that claimed 33 lives in the province.  It also aimed to seek assistance from concerned National Government Agencies on further studying the proposed dredging of the rivers of Zambales.

   The conference was attended by Gov. Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr.; Congressman of 1st District Jefferson J. Khonghun; Subic Mayor Jay Khonghun; San Marcelino Mayor Jose Rodriguez; Castillejos Mayor Jose Angelo Dominguez; Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino; and San Antonio Mayor Estela Antipolo. Likewise, NGA representatives in attendance were  RD Antonio V. Molano of DPWH and Engr. Hercules Manglicmot, Zambales 1st District Engr.; ARD Nigel B. Lontoc of OCD; Clarissa G. Villanueva of DENR-MGB; Joselito F. Meredor of DOST-PAGASA; Marife Castillo of DENR-CENRO Olongapo City.

   DILG R3 Director Florida M. Dijan, who presided over the meeting mentioned that the activity was called because of the request of Mayor Khonghun to SILG Mar Roxas for the assistance needed on the proposed dredging of some rivers in the Province of Zambales. RD Dijan said that the Secretary would like to ensure that this concern is coordinated with all the concerned officials and agencies and acted upon immediately.  She added the importance of the meeting in order to address all the issues and concerns that will lead to both immediate and long-term solutions.

   Gov. Hermogenes E. Ebdane  said that this project is very timely so that they can  prioritize and work on the corresponding strategies to mitigate  the problem of flooding in the province including Olongapo being an adjacent city.

   To start addressing the problem, it was agreed that a Technical Working Group (TWG) be created to be headed by the Provincial Engineer.  The TWG was given two months to complete the ground works, from the inspection and planning aspect up to working on the palliative measures.

   Spearheading the conduct of the Synchronized Barangay Assembly Day in Central Luzon, DILG R3, identified Barangay Pag-asa, Dinalupihan, Bataan as its Regional Showcase Barangay for the 1st Semester of 2014.

   Punong Barangay Basilio S. Layug comprehensively delivered his State Of the Barangay Address (SOBA) highlighting their CY 2013 accomplishments. Likewise, the limitations and problems encountered in the performance of their specific mandates as well as their immediate needs were reported. He also made mention of the line-up of activities and projects of the council for the succeeding months.

   Director Florida M. Dijan, Regional Director, DILG R3, in her inspirational message, expressed her appreciation and lauded the Local and Barangay Officials for adhering to their mandates and coming up with such important and very timely activity. Likewise, she acknowledged the presence of the representatives from other NGAs namely: the DILG Family (BFP, PNP, BJMP); Office of Civil Defense, National Irrigation Authority; and the Department of Public Works and Highways. She concluded her message by sharing a short poem: “Mga batong watak-watak, sabog-sabog kapag pinagpatong-patong nagiging isang moog, ganyan din ang mamamayan at pamahalaan, kapag nagkaisang loob, ang sisisirin masi-sisid, ang aabutin maabot”.

   Also gracing the activity were Hon. Albert Raymond S. Garcia, Governor of Bataan and his eldest sister Hon. Maria Angela S. Garcia, Municipal Mayor of Dinalupihan, together with her Local Officials and Functionaries.

   Mayor Maria Angela S. Garcia, in her response, assured the council and the assembly members that her administration shall provide the necessary assistance to address the gaps in implementing the proposed projects and activities of the barangay.

   Governor Albert Raymond S. Garcia informed the community of the on-going initiatives of the Provincial Government: First, on increasing employment opportunities by being an investment hub thru the Freeport Area of Bataan; Second, the on-going construction of flood control projects in the Municipalities of Dinalupihan & Hermosa in Bataan and Lubao in Pampanga. Lastly, he also informed the public that the problem on increasing electric cost will be addressed soon with the repair and full operationalization of the power generating plants in Bataan.

   The first part of the activity was culminated with the turn-over of the State of Barangay Governance Report of  Barangay Pag-asa to Mayor Garcia and RD Dijan.

   Pursuant to Proclamation No. 260 dated September 30, 2011 all barangays in the Philippines, are required to call for a Barangay Assembly at least twice every year and deliver their State of the Barangay Address (SOBA) to their respective constituents concerning matters provided by Section 397(b) Chapter VI of the Local Government Code: Accomplishments and Financial Report from the past six months and updates on 2014 on-going programs and projects.

   The Barangay Assembly will also serve as a venue or platform for the assembly members to raise issues and concerns affecting the community, as well as for advancing proposals and recommendations to improve the quality of service of the barangay officials.

   The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) have unveiled the First “OCD-NDRRMC Humanitarian Response Depot" in Clark, Pampanga.

   The facility is one of the various initiatives implemented by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), thru the Local Government Academy (LGA), to enhance the capacities of the OCD and the NDRRMC in the delivery and response action in relief operations.

   The refurbished Philippine Air Force warehouse at the Air Force City in Clark is the first of the six storage facilities to be established in strategic areas in the country. For its part, AECID donated Php 26.4 Million for the purchase of a large list of humanitarian equipment.  Managed by the OCD and NDRRMC, the facility can now serve as the primary coordination hub during large-scale emergencies, relief operations and pre-positioning of humanitarian supplies.

   Held on March 25, 2014, the inauguration of the facility was graced by the Spanish Foreign Minister His Excellency Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo together with Hon. Voltaire T. Gazmin, Secretary of the Department of National Defense and NDRRMC Chairman; Hon. Austere A. Panadero, DILG Undersecretary; Hon. Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Secretary DSWD; and Hon. Enrique Ona, Secretary DOH.  Also present were: Dir. Florida M. Dijan, DILG R3; Exec. Dir. Marivel C. Sacendoncillo, LGA; Dir. Josefina Timoteo, OCD 3; and Dir. Adelina Apostol, DSWD FU3. On the part of the beneficiary LGUs, the Provincial Government of Nueva Ecija headed by Governor Aurelio M. Umali and the City/Municipal Mayors of its component LGUs also attended the activity.

   Delivering the message of the SILG, Usec. Panadero mentioned the shared vision of the Department and the Spanish Government in enhancing the capacities of Local Government Units in responding to disasters and mitigating their effects. He also made mention of a number of testimonies and the gratitude of beneficiaries in the Province of Nueva Ecija saying that the financial assistance granted by AECID played a vital role in uplifting their lives and enabling them to recover from the devastations of the past disasters that hit their province.

    “On behalf of the province of Nueva Ecija and the rest of the Philippines, maraming, maraming salamat po” USEC. Panadero said in expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the Spanish Government.

   On the other hand, Foreign Minister Margallo said that he prays that no natural calamities will hit the Philippines soon, but if in case there will be, he assured the Philippine Government that the Spanish Government will always be by its side.

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