CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, August 13, 2012-Local officials are now more prepared to deal with disasters because of a clearer understanding of where the five percent disaster fund should go and how this fund should be properly utilized.
Thus said Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Florida Dijan amidst the calamity that struck Central Luzon last week.
Most parts of Central Luzon endured massive flooding, with depth reaching to as high as eight feet in some areas, caused by almost non-stop torrential rains brought by typhoon Gener and aggravated by the southwest monsoon or “hanging habagat.”
She said Republic Act 10121 or the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Act of 2010 states clearly how DRRM Fund should be used. “Hindi katulad noong tinatawag pa natin itong calamity fund, hindi malinaw kung saan pwedeng gamitin ang pondo sa disaster (Before when this was called calamity fund it wasn't clear where the funds may be used),” she said.
From the five (5) percent DRRM fund, 70 percent can be used for preparedness while 30 percent can be utilized when calamity strikes. Dijan added that preparedness involves LGUs’ purchase of equipment for rescue operation such as rubber boats.
Part of preparedness is the capacity building of barangay officials and rescue teams being led by the DILG in partnership with the Office of Civil Defense and Department of Environment and Natural Resources, where one of the training outputs is their respective local DRRM Plan. Dijan disclosed that, to date, 35 percent of barangays in Central Luzon has DRRM Plans.
Dijan also mentioned that part of empowering LGUs in disaster response is sharing of available resources, particularly rescue equipment.
“Equipment may be shared to LGUs needing assistance, especially in times of rescue and relief operations,” the DILG chief said.
At the height of flooding last week, rescue teams from Isabela, Tarlac and Palayan City augmented in rescue and evacuation operations particularly in Bataan, Bulacan and Pampanga, sharing their rescue vehicles and seacrafts.
Dijan also underscored the significance of public-private partnership manifested during the trying time, expressing gratitude to private organizations, LGUs within and outside the region, and even private individuals who sent rescue teams, assisted in relief operations, and offered their places to accommodate people who need to be evacuated from flooded areas.
Dijan reassured that all efforts to help those affected by flood in the region are being done, especially in immediate relief operations.
To date, an aggregate of over P20 million cost of assistance has already been provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Provincial Governments, municipal/city governments, Department of Health, and non-government organizations to affected families.
In Central Luzon, state of calamity has been declared in the entire provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga and Zambales.
Damages in infrastructure was pegged at a little over P53 million, while in agriculture, the region suffered loss of more than P1.6 billion.
In a related development, President Aquino has ordered the immediate repairs of damaged dikes and other flood control infrastructures in the region. (William L. Beltran)
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