CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, (PNA)–The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) is set to approve the proposal for creation of a comprehensive calamity code with specific provisions on climate change.
Angelina Blanco, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), said the initiative may be considered remarkable being first in the country to integrate concerns on climate change affecting lives of the people.
Blanco said it was Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda who envisioned the enactment of the calamity code which is expected to respond on the ever changing environment and currently affecting the lives of the Kapampangans in times of calamities.
The proposed code is aimed at making the province disaster ready.
“The province has to be resilient since we are frequently being visited by typhoons and other calamities. All we need is a guide to attain this objective of the provincial government. As of now, we only rely on the basic and usual activities being done in the previous years,” she said.
Blanco said that the head of the provincial legislative body instructed her to coordinate with various local government units, groups and other concerned stakeholders in gathering information vital to the proposed code.
She was also asked to consistently coordinate with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to come up with ‘best ever’ calamity code.
“This is one of his priority ordinances for this year, since we do not have one that will guide the provincial government,” Blanco said.
The proposed code will further strengthen the capability of the provincial government in addressing the needs of the people in times when they need it most.
This would also include the institutionalization of various trainings such as in water and search rescue operations by the local counterpart in the municipal level.