ARMM execs, town officials undergo DRRM course

DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao- The Office of Civil Defense-ARMM has conducted on Tuesday a one-day Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Executive Course for the Local Chief Executives of Maguindanao Province.The event held at the Officers Club of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, Philippine Army were participated in by various local leaders from the province’s thirty-six (36) municipalities.Leo T. Alicias, Assistant Regional Director of OCD-ARMM, said it is known to many that our country is vulnerable to both natural disasters and human induced activities. He said the general objective of the course is to enhance the participants’ knowledge on DRRM. We are situated within the Pacific Ring of Fire and with our geographic location, the country frequently experience natural hazards such as typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis, Alicias said. Alongside these natural disasters, human induced activities such as the recurring armed conflict in our area also pose a threat. When these disasters occur, it is important that the LGUs are equipped with various knowledge and skill when it comes to disaster risk reduction and management,” Alicias added.The specific objectives of the activity were as followsand Understand the current Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) System, its institutional and operating mechanisms, and priority projects and activities, including sound understanding of the RA10121 and specifics on the four DRRM thematic areas Contextualize their job with current development trends and strategies in DRRM Understand what the NDRRMC is for and explain the communication/ information flow in the NDRRMC Operation Center and have a deeper understanding on the various processes of proper budgeting, utilization, liquidation, and accountability of the Local DRRM Fund.Engr.Amiel Aplal, OCD-ARMM operations officer, talked about thePhilippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System (PDRRMS) putting emphasis on the four (4) thematic areas of the DRRM.Lininding M. Lao, Director II for Technical Services of the DILG-ARMM has lectured on the Functionality of the Local Government Units.Rasdy M. Guiling, State Auditor IV of the Commission on Audit- ARMM discussed about the guidelines on the Use of LDRRMF which includes usage policies, coverage, purposes, sources and allocations, utilization, accounting and reporting guidelines.Puasa Z. Enok, DRRM Focal Person of DSWD-ARMM, has lectured about the Disaster Response, the Internally Displaced People (IDPs), Evacuation Centers (ECs), manpower as well as facilities needed in evacuation centers and its management, and the provision of basic services in ECs, camp management as well as information management.Jimmy G. Hedesin, DRRM Focal Person for DOST-ARMM discussed about the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation focusing on the role of DOST in the RDRRMC-ARMM.Palawan T. Mamaon, DRRM Focal Person of RPDO-ARMM has lectured about the Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery Coordination Mechanism and discussed protocol of rehabilitation and recovery, coordination mechanism on categories of the Barangay, Municipal, Provincial, Regional and National levels in order to identify responsibility of each levels.The RA10121 is an act strengthening the PDRRMS, providing for the national disaster risk reduction and management framework and institutionalizing the national disaster risk reduction and management plan. This Act is commonly known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. Alicias said the RA 10121 aims to uphold the people's constitutional rights to life and property by addressing the root causes of vulnerabilities to disasters, strengthening the country's institutional capacity for disaster risk reduction and management and building the resilience of local communities to disasters including climate change impacts. Another reason is to adopt a disaster risk reduction and management approach that is holistic, comprehensive, integrated, and proactive in lessening the socio economic and environmental impacts of disasters including climate change, and promote the involvement and participation of all sectors and all stakeholders concerned, at all levels, most especially in the local communities,” said Alicias.Alicias added the activity is relevant in strengthening the capacity of the local government units (LGUs), together with partner stakeholders, to build the disaster resilience of communities, and' to institutionalize arrangements and measures for reducing disaster risks, including projected climate risks, and enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities.