City inks deal on disaster response project ‘Noah’s Ark’

THE Dumaguete City Government signed Thursday an agreement for the implementation of the community-based "Noah’s Ark" project, which provides disaster-risk management training, workshops and drills for identified barangays badly hit by calamity.

The project, in partnership with the Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CDNR), Smart Communications, Department of Education (DepEd)-Dumaguete City Division and the Candauay Barangay Council, aims to strengthen the capacities of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) at the city and barangay levels in order to prepare them to cope with impacts of flooding.

The memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing was attended by CNDR president and head of the public affairs of Smart Communications Ramon Isberto and CNDR officer-in-charge Mabel Josephine Apostol, Barangay Candau-ay chief Gregorio Oira, Candauay Elementary School principal Barsilisa Patrimonio and City Administrator William Ablong.

The project beneficiary will be Barangay Candauay, which was heavily flooded during Tropical Storm "Sendong" on December 17, 2011, according to Isberto.

Trainings and workshops are lined up in the barangay to make the community efficient in receiving information for upcoming weather disturbances, quick response in relief operations and preemptive evacuation for possible flood victims.

Apostol said the "Noah’s Ark" project was never meant to compete with the "Noah" project of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Apostol said both projects would complement by using the same name to ensure verified and early information for a coming disaster like a typhoon.

The "Noah’s Ark" was created after Typhoon Ondoy badly hit Luzon in 2009, she said.

Business groups and associations are involved in the project, which provides disaster preparedness training, particularly in areas affected by flooding.

Apostol said barangay residents and a resilient community could help achieve the project’s desire for zero casualties and save lives and properties in time of calamity and disaster. (PNA)