RDC-7 approves strat plan for rehab of storm hit areas in NegOr

By Minerva BC. Newman

Thursday 5th of April 2012

CENTRAL VISAYAS, April 5 (PIA) -- The tropical storm, Sendong, that badly hit Negros Oriental showed how undated the infrastructure were. Not only did it hit commercial establishments and houses but so too the eco-tourism sites of the area that brought livelihood to hundreds in the NegOr. Clearly, there must be new structures in place to weather the strom.

During its 1st quarter meeting in March 2012 at the Siquijor State College (SSC) Cafeteria in Larena, Siquijor, the Regional Development Council (RDC-7) in Central Visayas approved the Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Recovery of areas in Negros Oriental affected by tropical storm Sendong.

Data presented at the RDC-7 meeting showed that Sendong hit 126 barangays in Negros Oriental affecting 14,631 families or 72,556 individuals and damages to infrastructure estimated at over P40.944-million.

According to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-7) OIC-regional director Efren Carreon, the strategic plan aims to restore the economy and use of socio-economic services in the typhoon Sendong affected areas in Negros Oriental.

Carreon explained that the plan includes the rehabilitation, reconstruction, and enhance the resiliency of infrastructure against extreme weather events and or hazards.

Carreon added its objective is to improve the capacity of communities,and local and national government units in disaster risk reduction.

The RDC-7 noted that during the Sendong calamity, various local government units in Negros Oriental were unable to respond to the extreme situation immediately.

The strategic plan includes the rehab and restoration of infrastructure support system such as roads, bridges, flood river control, waterworks, and dams.

Priorities for rehab and restoration are those eco-tourism areas and facilities of Negros Oriental that were badly hit by Sendong.

These were identified to include the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes and Dauin Hot Springs; Apo Island Coral reefs; Tejeros swimming pool and spillway in Valencia town; government assistance to restore Forest Camp, also in Valencia, NegOr.

In a joint meeting of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and the Regional Land Use Council on March 20, 2012 both bodies agreed that Forest Land Use Planning and mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation must be included and or institutionalized in local development planning and decision-making processes of local and national government units.

In the same joint (RDRRMC/RLUC) meeting, the councils recommended the inclusion of environmental protection programs in the plan.

Specifically the adoption of Forest Land Use Plans by cities and municipalities in NegOr because managing the forestlands serves as effective buffer against floods and landslides, according to DENR.

NEDA-7 OIC-regional director Carreon in his presentation at the RDC-7 1st quarter meeting in Larena, Siquijor, he highlighted the inclusion in the Strategic Plan the strict implementation and monitoring of RA-9903 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and other environmental laws.

“Also clearing of waterways and drainage systems as important activity in the plan,” Carreon noted.

As far as disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation measures are concerned, the Plan underscored the importance of implementing Disaster preparedness programs and mainstreaming DRR-CCA in local development plans of LGUs.

With the typhoon Sendong experience, the implementation of Technology-based disaster early warning systems (SWS) is vital in disaster risk management and this was also given priority in the Plan.

Lastly, to assist in its economic recovery, the Negros Oriental Rehabilitation and Restoration Investment Program for CY 2012-2014 was endorsed and included in the Strategic Plan. (PIA7, Negros Oriental)