ILOCOS Norte Governor Imee Marcos have called for a year-long planning, rather than a reactionary preparation for incoming typhoons in the country like Typhoon Ompong.
During the 28th National Convention Council of Management Educators and Practitioners in Baguio City, the governor stressed the need for a better resiliency plan rather than a preparation plan during impending disasters.
“There is actually a pending legislation now but I’m not sure how it looks like now. I’m really paranoid when it comes to disasters especially with my experience with Yolanda. In terms of resiliency, the President have mentioned during his Sona for the establishment of an office for disaster management,” Marcos explained.
Disaster resilience is the ability of individuals, communities, organizations and states to adapt to and recover from hazards, shocks or stresses without compromising long-term prospects for development.
“I don’t know if a department is what we necessarily need or just an office or any agency or even a smaller thing to make it flexible, nimble and quick to act but certainly, we need a year round effort,” Marcos added.
According to the Hyogo Framework for Action (UNISDR, 2005), disaster resilience is determined by the degree to which individuals, communities and public and private organizations are capable of organizing themselves to learn from past disasters and reduce their risks to future ones, at international, regional, national and local levels.
Marcos pointed out the need to reassess the declaration of suspending classes under Executive Order 66 as it had caused confusion on who should declare the cancellation of classes.
“Class suspension for example have caused confusion between governors and mayors who should make the decision to suspend classes. E.O. 66 is the only prevailing legislation which only mentions no classes during typhoon signals 1,2 and 3 but with our recent experience of Habagat where no signals were advised have caused damages to our place. This are one of the issues and I believe that we have to assess, revisit and restudy our disaster management plan and geohazard map zones,” Marcos added.
Marcos also visited Benguet Province, giving cash assistance following the effects of Typhoon Ompong in the province.
“Gusto ko lang pumunta kasi kung anong maitutulong dahil sabay sabay naman tayong nakadanas ng matinding bagyo,” Marcos said.
The governor met with the farmers during the 5th Regional Organic Agriculture Congress held at the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Training Center in La Trinidad.
She had a courtesy call with Governor Crescencio Pacalso and other officials and turned over cash donation worth P300,000.
Pacalso thanked Marcos and said that the money will be added to assistance that will be given to Benguet farmers affected by Typhoon Ompong. (With a report from Lauren Alimondo)