Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU, July 5 (PIA) – Local government units (LGUs)
should institutionalize the position of local disaster risk reduction and
management officers (DRRMOs) as mandated under the law for the continuity of
disaster preparedness measures and disaster risk reduction programs.
Regional Director Olivia Luces of the Office of Civil Defense
(OCD-7) said under RA 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Reduction and Management
Act, the position of local DRRMOs should be permanent and not co-terminus with
the local chief executive.
“Making the DRRMO position permanent is to ensure continuity of
disaster risk reduction and management programs of the LGU. Also, it is a waste
of government money sending the DRRMO to various trainings to upgrade his or
her technical skills and then he or she is just replaced after the term of the
local chief executive ends,” said Luces.
Luces said it is very important for the LGU to understand this and
appoint somebody who has the expertise and experience to the permanent post.
Luces however, lauded the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Negros
Oriental which have appointed a permanent provincial DRRMO.
But Luces who also chairs the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (RDRRMC-7) lamented that only a few LGUs have complied with
the provision of the law.
Disaster preparedness and similar programs should be given
priority by the LGUs, said Luces which could make a huge difference if the
DRRMO is given the responsibility to continually implement the programs and not
be hindered by the end of the term of the city or municipal mayor.
“We want to achieve the goal of being a disaster-resilient
region,” which is deterred by the termination of the local DRRMO sans the
permanence of the position, said Luces.
Luces expressed hopes the local chief executives will take action
on their end amid the identification of the Philippines as among the top five
disaster-prone countries worldwide by the United Nations Office for Disaster
Risk Reduction.
The RDRRMC-7 chair further said LGUs should make their DRRM
council functional down to the barangay level and undertake proactive measures
amid the threat of La Niña.
La Niña is said to occur at a probability of 85 percent according
to PAGASA-Visayas citing international weather forecasting centers which could
hit the country beginning October until February of next year. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)