US Ambassador Thomas visits Benguet / Disasters

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

This July 16 will mark anniversary of the killer quake that struck Baguio, Benguet and parts of northern Luzon in 1990 that resulted to the death of hundreds of constituents.

Over the years, much had been learned from such calamities and it is a credit to local governments and locals in the Cordillera that they have innovated and come up with programs on disaster mitigation.

            

But much still needs to be done as natural disasters could strike anytime, anywhere and it is a fitting gesture of concern that United States Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr. came for a visit in La Trinidad, Benguet.

At the provincial capitol in the capital town, Thomas handed over Gov. Nestor Fongwan and partners of the provincial government $420,000 equivalent to P17.6 million to fund implementation of practical and high impact disaster risk reduction projects in the province to save lives and property during natural calamities.

“We are pleased to work with various vulnerable communities in Benguet and throughout the Philippines to improve their capacity to deal with the effects of natural calamities. Our efforts recognize that disasters would easily wipe out the assets that our families have worked hard to get,” Thomas told the crowd at the lobby of the Capitol to witness turnover ceremonies to beneficiary local governments.

The disaster risk reduction assistance of the United States government being handled by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was part of the $7 million equivalent to P294 million support given to disaster-prone communities in the country for this year.

The other local governments that stand to benefit from the said assistance are Cagayan, Laguna, Batangas, Sorsogon, Iloilo province, Iloilo City, Misamis Oriental, Butuan City, Cagayan de Oro City, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Maguindanao and Davao City.

           

Thomas said the disaster risk reduction assistance being extended by the US government to  disaster-prone local governments is part of its commitment to enhance capability of vulnerable communities to prepare and respond to, natural disasters.

            

The USAID’s disaster risk reduction program in Benguet, which was implemented in partnership with the World Food Program (WFP), began in 2011 that initially covered the municipalities of Tublay, Atok. Kibungan and Kapangan.

Activities included tree planting, development of early warning systems, and preparation of disaster contingency plans for each of the municipalities.

       

According to Thomas, the third phase of the program has expanded to cover six municipalities, including the municipality of Buguias and the City of Baguio, to help identified vulnerable communities prepare for disasters.

            

The US ambassador said the expanded program now includes creation of a knowledge and training resource center in partnership of the University of the Philippines College Baguio.

            

The USAID also tapped as one of its partners in the expanded program the Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc., which will provide trainings and information and education campaigns on effective disaster planning and response for local leaders and community members.

            

“The new disaster risk reduction center will help communities gain access to trainings and valuable information that will help them prevent or minimize the impact of natural disasters to life and limb,” Ambassador Thomas said.

            

He added the US government is putting major emphasis in supporting vulnerable communities to address current and emerging needs in disaster risk reduction and he expects to invest more on disaster risk reduction activities within the year.

            

For his part, Fongwan extended the province’s gratitude to Thomas and the US government for including Benguet one of priority beneficiaries.

            “

The visit of Ambassador Thomas in Benguet only means that the US government means business in helping vulnerable local governments cope with the serious negative effects of the occurrence of natural calamities, thus, the people of those in identified disaster-prone communities must also do their job in ensuring their safety during the onslaught of natural calamities,” Fongwan said.

He repeatedly extended the province’s gratitude to support being given by the US government to prevent casualties and damage to properties during calamities.

            

Thomas capped his visit by dancing the tayaw, an indigenous Benguet dance with kids to the delight of the crowd.