La Union Provincial Capitol – Living up to its honor as National KALASAG Awardee, the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PPDC) met at the Diego Silang Hall, Capitol, San Fernando City, La Union on July 14, 2009 to assess La Union’s preparedness in anticipation of the rainy season. This is in line with the National Disaster Consciousness Month.
P/Supt Noli G. Talino, La Union PNP Provincial Director presided the inter-agency meeting in behalf of the PDCC Chairman, Gov. Manuel C. Ortega. Col. Talino, the vice-Chairman of the Council, cited the preparedness of council members for any eventualities that might affect the province. Among the concerns tackled are flooding, landslides and storm surges during the rainy season; the outbreak of A(H1N1) or swine flu; the arrival of migratory birds which carries the Avian Influenza virus during the third quarter of the year; and the recent spate of bombings in Metro Manila which might spill over to major cities in the country. “We cannot prevent natural disasters but mitigate its effects and reduce its risks. It is necessary to come up with a contingency plan in addressing different kinds of disasters,” Talino said.
In addressing the concerns of flooding, landslides, storm surges and earthquakes, Jonathan M. Viernes of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region-1, discussed the Provincial Plan and Policy Formulation for Disaster Risk Management (PPPFDRM) and the Disaster Risk Management (DRM)- Enhanced Regional Physical Framework Plan 2004-2030. The presentation focused on the hazard profile of the region such as high susceptible areas where probable fatality/ies may occur due to rain induced flooding, earthquake induced landslides and land liquefaction. Also discussed was the hazard and risk vulnerability of La Union in particular and emphasizes the analytical impact on human and property. According to the presentation, La Union has a high risk area “wherein 80% of its total land area are identified as disaster risk”. He also emphasized that the Province of La Union and the City of San Fernando were chosen as pilot province and city, respectively for the PPPFDRM in Region 1. The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) project is funded by the United Nation Development Program (UNDP) and the European Union (EU).
In addressing the Avian Influenza or Bird Flu, Dr. Nida N. Gapuz, Provincial Veterinarian, presented the Avian Influenza (AI) Contingency Plan which was formulated by the AI Provincial Technical Working Group in a workshop held last July 1-3 in Calasiao, Pangasinan. Discussed were the identified risk areas for AI in the province as well as control and mitigation plans for worst case scenario in the event of an epidemic.
For his part, Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) Director Eugene G. Cabrera announced during the meeting the Covenant Signing of the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) with NEDA and the RDCC on July 28, 2009. According to Cabrera, the covenant signing is the “sharing in disaster management among the local government units (LGU) in Region 1.”
Ranilo C. Ipac of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) presented the proposed School-based Disaster Preparedness and Response Program. The program will be adapted in schools through the National Service Training Program (NSTP). It is aimed to educate the youth on disaster risk awareness and become partners during calamities as support group. At young age, the youth can be taught on First Aid, Rescue operations and the like which they can apply in school, in their homes and barangays. (PGLU-PIO Charlie O. Balanon)
