A Provincial Consultation on Operations and Data Reporting and Management Systems on Disaster Risk Reduction Management was conducted last October 15, 2012 at SP Session Hall, Tarlac Capitol as part of PDRRMC activities of the Province of Tarlac. Said activity was attended by all MDRRMC/CDMRRMC of Tarlac and DILG representatives namely, Ria L. Ramos and Robert C. Diola.
The activity was aimed to reorient the participants on RA 10121 and other legal basis as well as provide them with a basic knowledge on types of reports during disasters (Flash, Initial, Progress and Final Report) in order to have a common format of report and accurate data during time of disasters.
Vice-Governor Pearl Pacada, in her welcome message, said the transition of elective officials but the Governments Programs will still remain. She also stressed that the 5% of General Fund is mandated for the allocation of the DRRM fund.
Director Josefina T. Timoteo of the Office of Civil Defense Region 3 (OCDR3) gave the overview on the Philippines Disaster Reduction and Management System (PDRRMS). Part I of her presentation focused on the Hazard/Disaster Risk Profile of the Philippines. Director Timoteo discussed that Philippine is vulnerable to almost all types of natural hazards because of its geographical location. She informed that the country is lying along the PACIFIC RING OF FIRE where two major tectonic plates (Philippine Sea and Eurasian) meet is highly-proneto earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. She further said that the Philippines is located in the Pacific typhoon belt experiencing an average of 20 typhoons a year, 5 of which are said to be destructive. On the other hand, Part II was about the Paradigm Shift on Disaster Management where PDRRMS evolved. This was supported by a legal framework as the foundation to institutionalize policies, structures, programs and coordination mechanisms on DRR at all levels. For the past two (2) years ( i.e., in 2010 and 2011) the following milestones in DRRM had been achieved, namely: 1) PDRRM Law or Republic Act 10121dated May 27, 2010; 2) Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 10121dated September 27, 2010; 3) National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework (NDRRMF) approved on June 16, 2011, and 4) National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP) approved on February 7, 2012.
Ms. Ortega, also from OCDR3, presented the NDRRMC operations and reporting system. The NDRRMC operation center operates on 24/7 basis which served as the center for coordination of all pre-and-post operational activities. It provides and disseminates disaster response and population preparedness guidelines. The operation center used various communication tools such as SMS/Text Blast, Phone, Radio, Cellphone, Landline, Website, Email, Social Media (Facebook), Facsimile and TSF telecommunications equipment as a back-up common equipment during disasters. She also discussed the different types and formats of report in time of disaster (Flash Report, Initial, Progress and Final Report).
