Australia, Philippines launch greater metro Manila risk maps to better prepare local governments for disasters

As the Australian and the Philippine Governments were celebrating the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction in Pasig City, 87 hazard and risk assessment maps for each of the 24 local government units (LGUs), including exposure database containing physical information, population and socio-economic characteristics of communities, were handed over to Greater Metro Manila Area (GMMA) in order to aid LGUs in enhancing their local disaster risk reduction management (LDRRM) plans.

“Natural hazards do not have to lead to disasters especially if we are able to carefully assess the risk of an area and properly plan for the long-term. But we can only do that if we have the data. The Australian Government is pleased to have worked closely with the Philippine Government in producing these maps which can now help us prepare for such scenarios,” said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell.