CEBU City’s 80 barangays may soon receive P1 million each to buy disaster equipment.
Councilor Dave Tumulak recently filed a proposed resolution on the matter.
In his one-page measure, Tumulak is proposing that the P1 million for disaster equipment be taken from the P80-million lump sum appropriation that the City set aside this year for the purchase of disaster response and rescue- or calamity-related equipment.
The P80 million forms part of the City’s local development fund (LDF) under the P13.4 billion 2015 annual budget.
The LDF is 20 percent of the Internal Revenue Allotment of each local government unit. The City’s LDF this year amounts to P586.6 million.
“It is the thrust of the City to make the barangays ready for any disaster that may strike their respective areas by providing them with necessary trainings and the needed equipment for life saving and rescue operations,” said Tumulak, who is also the presiding officer of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
“Each barangay shall be allocated P1 million to fund their priority programs in line with disaster prevention, preparation, risk reduction and mitigation,” he said.
Tumulak has requested the barangays to submit to him an approved resolution listing down the disaster or rescue equipment they want to buy.
Reminded
But he reminded the barangays of Department of Interior and Local Government’s Memorandum Circular 2012-73 issued in April 2012, which provides for the guidelines on what equipment needs to be purchased for disaster risk reduction and management.
Based on the circular, flooding equipment that can be purchased by the barangays include rubber boats, life vests, rescue whistles, megaphones with siren, floodlights, rain gauges, breathing apparatus, portable generator set, illuminated jackets, warning bells and life buoys, among others.
Earthquake rescue equipment, on the other hand, include forklifts, graders, hacksaws, backhoes, chisels, electric drills, chainsaws, concrete cutters, jackhammers, shovels, and crowbars and full-body harnesses.
Landslide rescue equipment include dump trucks, graders, backhoes, hi-powered flashlights, emergency lights, foldable stretchers, and forklifts, among others.
Association of Barangay Council (ABC) chief and Tisa Barangay Captain Philip Zafra told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday they welcome the development.
He said what the barangays need most now is equipment for flooding, adding that the city has been constantly hit by flood.
Just last week, a number of the city’s thoroughfares were flooded during a heavy downpour, affecting commuters and displacing families living near rivers.
Zafra said P1 million is not enough.
“Pero maayo na lang na as a start ba kaysa wala gyod, di ba (But that’s better than nothing),” he said.
During the City Council’s Sept. 16 session, Tumulak’s resolution was referred to the committee on budget and finance headed by Councilor Margarita Osmeña for report and recommendation.