BAGUIO CITY, June 17 (PNA) — With the approval of an additional PHP35 million fund for the disaster risk reduction management (DRRM), the three-year plan of programs and projects may now be implemented, according to Baguio City Administrator Carlos Canilao, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council action officer.
Canilao on Wednesday said most of the proposed projects focus on calamity preparedness, including the purchase of supplies and equipment, preparation of information materials and trainings amounting to PHP24,213,300.
The PHP7.2 million will be used for prevention and mitigation particularly the conduct of assessment and surveys of the hazardous areas and preparation of local sewerage and drainage master plan, he said.
About PHP3.4 million will be to address the rehabilitation of infrastructures in the barangay level and about PHP600,000 for assistance in the provision of transportation, medical and burial services, Canilao said.
He also said that the projects are interventions to achieve a zero casualty and reduced property loss in times of calamities.
Infrastructure programs under the DRRM were included in the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) for 2015 which the Baguio City Council approved in February this year.
With a total fund of PHP67 million, the three-year (2014–2016) Revised DRRM Plan approved by the City Council in 2014, will serve as the city’s guidebook in preparing for and responding to calamities, both natural and man-made including the effects of climate change.
It aims to “create a sustainable and enabling environment that increases community consciousness on hazards, aims for zero casualty, reduce human suffering, property damage and protect environment sensitive areas from all types of disasters,” Canilao added.
The plan covers the four thematic areas prescribed by the national framework namely prevention and mitigation aimed at identifying and mitigating hazards to prevent potential impacts to the communities and the population; preparedness to achieve zero casualties and the least damage to properties; response to preserve life and provide basic subsistence needs in accordance with quality and acceptable assistance and services during and immediately after the occurrence of a disaster; and rehabilitation or recovery with goal of normalizing the lives of the affected individuals and their families through the restoration of essential services, facilities and socio-economic activities in the affected communities.(PNA)