DILG to launch seal of disaster preparedness in Caraga region

By Robert E. Roperos

Tuesday 22nd of May 2012

BUTUAN CITY, May 22 (PIA) –- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will launch the seal of disaster preparedness in Caraga region, with Sec. Jesse Robredo gracing the event.

According to DILG-Caraga information officer Florian Faith Bayawa, the launching is in time with the department’s Tapatan Roadshow scheduled on June 12 in this city, featuring a discussion on disaster preparedness among stakeholders here in the region.

Bayawa said this is one way of motivating the local government units to craft their disaster preparedness plans and programs especially that some areas in the region are considered disaster-prone, as identified by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

DILG also said the program establishes benchmark information on disaster preparedness of local governments from which will evolve government interventions to influence a progressive capacity build-up among provinces, cities and municipalities.

It also aims to assess post-intervention disaster preparedness to determine performance gaps that need to be aggressively addressed.

Further, it acknowledges institutionalized disaster preparedness as a proof of official recognition by a local government of public safety and welfare.

The assessment criteria which guided DILG in awarding seal of disaster preparedness to local government units are based on leadership structure and guide to action, operational readiness, and innovative practices.

On leadership structure and guide to action, it should comply with the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. The LGU must also have a guide to action, referring to a well-communicated calamity contingency plan.

Operational readiness refers to the minimum tests of readiness immediately before a calamity struck. These include regularly tested early warning system, fully disseminated family guide to action on warning, regularized emergency drills, designated evacuation centers, pre-deployed or location-specific assigned, and organized and trained personnel.

Innovative practices, on the other hand refers to a culture-bound, community or indigenous knowledge or practice on disaster preparedness.

The DILG pointed out that every criterion is not assigned a numerical score or weight, thus averaging or indexing is not factored into the assessment. It is simply one or zero for each criterion, that is, pass or fail. Thus, a province, city or municipality must pass all criteria to be conferred with the seal. (RER – PIA Caraga)