ARMM gov't ready for onset of La Niña

COTABATO CITY– The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) assured that the regional government is ready for the onset of La Niña, a weather phenomenon characterized by recessive rainfall.Secretary Atty. Noor Hafizullah Kirby Abdullah of the region’s Interior and Local Government department (DILG-ARMM) said during a press conference on that his office has already convened local government units (LGUs) since May to carry out disaster preparedness measures.Atty. Abdullah urged all provincial governors as well as city and municipal mayors to take precautionary measures in their respective areas of responsibility. The DILG has launched new protocols, or procedures, for LGUs to strengthen disaster risk reduction management dubbed Operation Listo. Operation Listo started in 2014 with Listong Pamahalaang Lokal, which institutionalized local protocols for disaster preparedness, response and monitoring.The program was strategized to reach the grassroots with its second component, the Listong Pamayanan, focusing on capacity development intervention that starts from LGUs and cascades to the community. We already coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF-ARMM) for us to be prepared to address the ill effects of La Niña, Abdullah said.He also said that the government is implementing a comprehensive program on mitigating the adverse effects of La Niña. This covers agriculture, flood control, food security, and disaster risk reduction measures.The ARMM’s Office of Civil Defense (OCD-ARMM) has conducted an ocular inspection to determine steps to be taken to minimize the impact of floods on low-lying areas. OCD-ARMM has been coordinating with the regional disaster risk reduction and management council, LGUs and partner nongovernmental agencies.ARMM's Agriculture Secretary Alexander Alonto said his office is preparing funds to mitigate the impact of the wet season. Preparations are underway to mitigate the possible impact of the rainy season to farmers in the ARMM, Sec. Alonto said.