BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA
CEBU CITY. April 7 (PIA) --- Forum on "Understanding Vulnerabilities" provided public and private officials the tools to increase their awareness and disaster preparations to help them reach informed decisions on disaster-related issues and programs.
“Understanding Vulnerabilities”, the third of a series initiated by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated (RAFI)-Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (EADSC) provided people from different sectors an overview of how last year’s disasters affected the environment particularly in the northern part of Cebu province.
RAFI chief operation officer Dominic Chua said, the over all aim of the four series forum is to provide the different sectors needed knowledge and information in order to have informed decisions when it comes to disaster preparation and response.
The first presentor was a professor from Silliman University, Dr. Angel Alcala who gave a report on the Status of Marine Ecosystem in Bantayan Island : A Basis for Livelihood and Rehabilitation.
In Alcala’s report he mentioned that The Silliman University Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management conducted a study in 2012 on the islands’ coral reefs and fisheries stating that the fish biomass reserve in Bantayan was 45 to 55 kilograms for every 1,000 square meters.
But three months after the typhoon, fish biomass went down to 35 to 40 kilograms for every 1,000 square meters.
Alcala suggested other alternative means of living is beneficial to the fisher folks since the fish environment still needs to rehabilitate.
He was then followed by Jermaine Baltazar Bayas, who is the interim program manager of Typhoon Haiyan Emergency Response for Northern Cebu. Bayas talked on Institutionalizing and mainstreaming the Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRRM) in local government units.
Other guests were Director Andres Bojos of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Baltazar Tribunalo, Head of Task Force Paglig-on of the Cebu Province. (mbcn/FCC/PIA7-Cebu)