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The Spanish Government through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) with a project entitled "Strengthening the Capacities of Philippine Local Governments in Disaster Risk Reduction aims to strengthen the system of disaster risk reduction in the Philippines, focusing at the LGU and community level.

The Province of Zambales, together with the Provinces of Northern Samar and Davao del Sur were chosen to be recipients of the said project and will be receiving a grant from the Spanish Government which they can utilize for the Capacity Building Activity to strengthen the Local DRRM Council/Office and Operations Center in performing their task.

The DILG as the key government agency which promotes the strengthening of local government units and advances their excellence in local government through the Local Government Academy (LGA) was tapped by the Spanish Government in the implementation and monitoring of the said project.

In coordination with the DILG Zambales, an orientation on strengthening the capacities of LGUs in DRR was conducted by a team from the Local Government Academy (LGA) on April 20-21, 2016. Alongside the activity, a meeting of the members/ representatives of Zambales PDRRMC was held. It served as venue to discuss the project and partnership between DILG-LGA and Zambales.

The team conducted Disaster Risk Reduction Appraisal and Data Gathering based on the existing plans on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation of the Province. On the second day, the Municipalities of Sta. Cruz and Masinloc which were identified as high risk municipalities were assessed on their capabilities on Disaster Preparedness and Response. This was followed by Field visitation and data gathering in Barangays Bayto and Sta. Rita in Sta. Cruz and Masinloc, respectively, which are identified high risk barangays of two municipalities. The team then provided feedback to the PDRRMO on the observations during the on-site visitation.

The Local Government Academy will schedule the MOA signing on the said project between the DILG and Zambales and two other pilot provinces after May 2016 Election.