OCD gives P17-B prop for Cordi disaster fund

 By Gina Dizon

BAGUIO CITY -  Office of Civil Defense- Cordillera regional director Albert Mogul said P17 billion has been forwarded for funding in the 2019 budget in response to two disasters -- typhoons Rosita and Ompong- that hit the  region last year.

Mogul said the proposed P17 billion fund shall include all operations and disaster relief in the Cordillera including post disaster assessments and monitoring activities.

This during a media briefing here in conjunction with the conduct of the Cordillera Business Forum on small and medium scale enterprises Development and Disaster Resilience organized by the Dept. of Trade and Industry. Mogul urged local government units to make use of their 5% local disaster risk reduction and management fund for trainings and quick response activities.

Republic Act 10121 or the LDRRM Act of 2010 mandates LGUs to set aside 5% of their budgets as a local calamity fund where 70% of the 5% LDRRM Fund support pre-disaster preparedness and risk reduction measures and 30% allocated as quick response fund (QRF) or stand-by fund for relief and recovery programs.

The Cordillera is classified as a geo-hazard site by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources.

In same event, DTI Cordillera director Myrna Pablo cited need to organize a regional resilience core group to monitor disaster related matters particularly on its effect on SMSEs.

Pablo said advocacy on disaster resilience by local government units especially in the barangay level was a need.

Science Research Specialist Margarita Dizon of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said earthquakes come any time so for the public to be ready all the time so the need for information and education campaigns on being prepared when disaster strikes.   

Dizon also said projects are set for early warning and satellite-based rainfall monitoring systems to note landslide occurrences. 

Abigail Guiang business continuity plan officer of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation cited need to make BCPs urging SMSE owners to avail of PDRF services. 

PDRF engages local and international organizations and large, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in resilience building and innovative approaches to mainstream business continuity management.

Jerry Clavesillas, Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development officer of DTI said large industries complement  small industries thus the need for partnership among the two  businesses.