Thursday, September 25, 2008 Province launches disaster risk reduction program
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Provincial Government of Pampanga, with the help of the Provincial Disaster Response Network (PDRN) and the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) and other stakeholders in provincial disaster management, launched on Wednesday a disaster risk reduction program for local communities here.
Called the "Provincial Readiness to Institutionalize and Mainstream Risk Reduction" (PRIMRR) project was launched through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Provincial Government and international charity group Oxfam.
Attending the said signing at the Executive House of the Capitol were Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio, Board Member Johnny Quiambao, PDCC officer Lucia Gutierrez, and Bong Masagca of the PDRN.
The PRIMRR is supported by the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid (Echo) through its disaster preparedness programme (Dipecho).
The program aims to assist vulnerable people living in disaster prone regions of the world in reducing the impact of natural disasters on their lives and livelihoods.
"The answer lies with local government," said Oxfam and Dipecho.
The program also aims to set up a disaster risk management office (DRMO) in a local government unit (LGU) with meaningful participation from the partnership with people in community risk areas.
The 15-month project was also conceived to enable local communities and institutions to better prepare for, mitigate, cope with and recover from any impact of emerging disasters by enhancing their capacities and reducing vulnerability through the DRMO.
According to Masagca, Pampanga was the first of the three provinces that will set up the DRMO. The DRMO would then set up long-term mechanisms for handling disasters such as typhoons, volcanic eruptions among others.
Quiambao, for his part, said for the effective setting up of the DRMO, it should be approved first by the Provincial Board (PB) through an enabling ordinance.
He hailed the signing of the MOU, saying it will pave the way for better disaster preparedness.
"Our concern now is the available budget and the process to undertake to institutionalize the DRMO. But with the help of other organizations, I believe we can achieve the implementation of the PRIMRR, through it would take a long process it would surely be worth anticipating," Quiambao said.
Quiambao assured that a draft ordinance is being readied for the institutionalization of the DRMO for the PB's approval.
Oxfam is an international charity organization that works with others to end poverty and suffering in developing countries. In the Philippines, Oxfam helps poor people sustain livelihoods and cope with and recover from disasters and armed conflict. (IOF)
