Philippines: NDCC launches READY project in Northern Samar
Catarman, Northern Samar - The National Disaster Coordinating Council launched yesterday a Hazard Mapping and Assessment for Effective Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (READY) Project at Ibabao Hall, Provincial Capitol Building, Catarman, Northern Samar.
The launching was attended by NDCC-OCD Executive Officer Maj. Gen. Glenn J. Rabonza, Regional Director Angel Gaviola of OCD Region 8, Director Renato Solidum,Jr. of Philvocs, Cesar L. Balce, Supervising Geologist, Philvocs, Director Prisco Nilo of PAGASA, Engr. Joaquin B. Barjo, Chief Cartographic, NAMRIA, Joan Salcido, Philvocs Science Research Specialist, Engr. Erlinton Olavere, Philvocs Science Research Specialist, Thelma Cinco, PAGASA Senior Weather Specialist, provincial officials, municipal mayors, and members of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council.
According to Maj. Gen. Rabonza, the project aims to address the problem of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) at the local level. To achieve this, both national and local initiatives are necessary. The national level will institutionalize and standardize measures and processess, and at the community level, the project aims to empower the most vulnerable municipalities and cities in the country and enable them to prepare disaster risk management plans. The project hopes to develop a systematic approach to community based disaster risk management.
Moreover he said, that agencies responsible are the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology - Department of Science and Technology (PHILVOCS-DOST), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical and Services Administration - Department of Science and Technology (PAGASA-DOST), Mines and Geosciences Bureau- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (MGB-DENR) and the National Mapping Resource and Information Authority (NAMRIA-DENR). The Local Governement Units and Smart Telecommunications are the cooperating agencies.
Project components are multihazard identification and disaster risk assessment, community-based disaster preparedness and mainstreaming of risk reduction into the local development planning process. Under the multihazard identification and disaster risk assessment, the following should be done: ground rupture (active faults) mapping, ground shaking mapping, liquefaction hazard mapping, earthquake-induced landslide hazard mapping, tsunami hazard mapping, rainfall-induced landslides hazard mapping, floods and flashfloods hazard mapping and storm surge mapping.
Development of Community-based Early Warning System will be installed like rain gauges, communication setups, water levels gauges, signages and conduct of dry runs. Information and Education Campaign for mayors, barangay captains, municipal planners, deputized coordinators, high school and elementary teachers will also be conducted by the NDCC.
With the mainstreaming of risk reduction into the local development planning process, NDCC will conduct preparatory meeting and provision of and training on Rapid Earthquake Disaster assessment System (REDAS) software to Local Government Units, its PDCC members and planners.
The project will be funded by the United Nations Development Programme, AusAid, and Asian Development Bank.
By Teresita B. Cardenas