Local government units (LGUs) under their respective Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management (MDRRM) offices are continuously working on plans to mitigate the impact of any disastrous events brought on by calamities.
Interviewed during DZRH sa DILG sa Breaktime on Wednesday, Catarman, Northern Samar Mayor Francisco Aurelio Rosales III noted that their area is considered a "high risk" as it is commonly experiencing typhoons.
"Not the Catarman alone. I think it's the entire Region 8 dinadaanan po tlaga siya nang bagyo kadalasan. We are experiencing 6–8 tropical cyclones in a year," said Rosales.
Due to this, a comprehensive risk and disaster management plan was made, starting in barangays.
"Sa paghahanda po, ang ginagawa ng lokal na pamahalaan para matugunan po ang preparasyon sa bagyo, pinapalakas po namin ang aming grass roots program, we activate our Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC)," Rosales noted.
Initiated by the MDRRMO, the BDRRMC teaches residents from barangays to know where to evacuate in case of emergencies.
Rosales added that a mode of agreement was made with stores and pharmacies if ever food provisions and medicines were lacking at the time of a calamity.
Meanwhile, he stressed that the worst calamities that could bring major damages to their province would be a "whole of nation approach.".
"Here in the province since parang naging normal na rin po tlaga na daanan kami ng bagyo, mostly monitored din po kami ng Provincial Risk and Reduction Management Council din," he said.
"If ever mga memorandum na icacascadem automatic po naming sinusunod at kami naman idedeseminate po namin yan sa mga lokal na mga barangay," the mayor added.
Rosales said Catarman, who is a Gawad Kalasag Awardee, is conducting daily training such as fire and earthquake drills.
Also sharing their risk and disaster preparedness is La Trinidad, Benguet Mayor Romeo Salda, who proudly said that their MDRRMC is always ready for any circumstances that might happen in their area.
Like Catarman, Benguet is also starting disaster preparedness with barangays.
"Mabilis po umaksyon ang mga barangay natin. May coordination po sila sa ating MDRRMO. Dahil po ito sa Operation Listo Manual," Salda said.
"Dito sa atin, pag may typhoon signal, automatic po na nakikipag-coordinate ang ating mga barangay sa munisipyo. Meron po tayong 14 responders dito," he furthered.
Salda even shared an incident of grassfires in their area, which was immediately controlled with the help of barangays and the Bureau of Fire and Protection.
Asked if the disaster affects Benguet's agri-products, Salda said it is not being affected as they have 13 municipalities that are supplying vegetables.
"Kasi may four hectares na bagong bagsakan natin yung Benguet agro trading area na nasa Benguet State University. Lahat may supply po ng gulay," Salda remarked.
HOTLINES
Catarman, Northern Samar Hotline: 0949-151-3810.
La Trinidad Benguet Hotline: 422-2601.
