Barangay disaster teams urged to make use of 5% calamity fund

By Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- A disaster management preparedness and management training led to the plan of 25 participants from Sagada and Besao towns to call for the organization of disaster management teams per barangay and make use of the 5% 'calamity fund'.

The training conducted  July 10-12 by the  Philippine Red Cross –Mountain Province Chapter shared  principles of  Red Cross and  formation of  143 disaster management  teams per  barangay with one leader  and 43  members  doing  special  roles namely  social services, disaster management,  community health, and that relevant to the international humanitarian law.

Red Cross 143 is a flagship volunteer program of PRC to serve as humanitarian arm of the Red Cross on the ground, especially in times of disasters, and especially encourage blood donors to ensure adequate supply of safe and quality blood anytime the need arises.

Participating representatives  also  noted  the need of the barangay council to be  informed and actively call on the formation of the 143 team coming from volunteers  representing the  church, non government organizations, peoples organizations, youth, police, rural health unit and hospitals,  elders and other sectors  of  society.

Plans included the re-echo of the training done and request for disaster-related equipment including   first aid kits, stretchers, X-collars, Icoms, flashlights among others.

Barangay and municipal funds have 5% of  their regular budget  allotted for disaster management related  activities and equipment by virtue of  the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.”  

The law provides that the popularly known local calamity fund shall be known as the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF). “Not less than five percent (5%) of  the estimated revenue from regular sources shall be set aside as the LDRRMF to support disaster risk management activities such as, but  not limited to pre-disaster preparedness programs including training, purchasing life-saving rescue equipment, supplies and medicines, for post-disaster activities, and for the payment of premiums on calamity insurance.

The LDRRMC shall monitor and evaluate the use and disbursement of  LDRRMF based on the LDRRMP as incorporated in the local development plans and  annual work and financial plan.

Upon the recommendation of the LDRRMO and approval of  theSanggunian concerned, the LDRRMC may transfer the said fund to support disaster risk reduction work of other LDRRMCs which are declared under state of calamity.

Of the amount appropriated for LDRRMF, 30% shall be allocated as Quick Response Fund or stand-by fund for relief and recovery programs.”

Mountain Province as well as the country is located in a disaster prone area warranting the need for its constituents to be prepared all the time in cases of disasters- be this landslide, fire, earthquakes, accidents, or man-made calamities.