TACLOBAN CITY, June 10 (PNA) — The provinces of Leyte and Albay on Monday inked a twinning agreement that would result to the strengthening of the former’s provincial disaster risk reduction management office.
The sealing of partnership through a memorandum of understanding facilitated by the Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was witnessed by the agency’s acting assistant administrator for Asia Denise Rollins and mission director for the Philippines Gloria D. Steele.
Rollins in her message said the event served as a kick off of two initiatives that will unfold to include “peer to peer learning opportunity that will make Leyte and Albay provinces more prepared for future disaster” and the provision of technical and construction equipment to rehabilitate and build back better.
“As we move forward to long-term recovery, let me inform of USAID’s commitment to work for the Philippines in achieving a shared vision of providing access to water and sanitation and strengthening the country’s ability to prepare for disasters and mitigate the negative impact of climate change,” she stated.
The Be Secure will also repair and rehabilitate the damaged water systems of Leyte province. On the same occasion, the technical design plans for Baybay Water District, Metro Carigara Water District and the Municipality of MacArthur were handed over to their representatives by the USAID.
“Clean water is critical to the health and well-being of everyone and we must assure its availability at all times,” she said.
Be Secure is a four-year activity that aims to promote good governance and build capacity for long term water security, improve access to water and wastewater treatment services and build more resilient communities, she explained.
“We must find ways to build the country’s resiliency in the face of natural disasters. We can’t stop disasters from occurring but we can better prepare to save lives and community,” she underscored.
Signatories to the memorandum of understanding were Leyte governor Leopoldo Dominic Petilla, Albay governor Joey Salceda. (PNA)