By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has created the National Task Force Kanlaon that will oversee and coordinate all government programs, activities, and projects (PAPs) to reduce the impact of volcanic activities and hasten the recovery of affected communities.
Under Administrative Order (AO) No. 32 signed by the President on Thursday, the Department of National Defense (DND) will serve as the chair of the task force, while the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) will be the secretariat tasked to provide the necessary technical, administrative, and operational support.
Other members include the departments of Science and Technology, Environment, Public Works, Social Welfare, Labor, Interior, and Health.
The task force will lead the implementation and monitoring of all PAPs for the resettlement, recovery, rehabilitation, and redevelopment of communities affected by volcanic activities.
It is also directed to operationalize and coordinate effective and timely execution of disaster risk reduction and management efforts in affected communities; study and implement measures to rebuild and strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure in the Negros Island Region; and collaborate with concerned governed agencies and the private sector.
AO 32 mandates the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to formulate the Kanlaon Recovery and Development Plan, which will serve as the strategic framework for the recovery and development of affected communities.
The plan should contain short-term and long-term strategies and concrete action plans on areas of concern, which include housing and resettlement; infrastructure; social welfare; livelihood and business development; and governance.
The task force, through the OCD, is directed to prepare and submit to the Office of the Executive Secretary annual reports on the implementation of AO 32.
The funding requirements for the implementation of the Order will be taken from the existing appropriations of the member agencies of the task force and other available funding sources that may be identified by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
According to the NDRRMC report, the eruption of Mount Kanlaon has affected about 12,360 families or 48,528 individuals and caused P129 million in damage to agriculture.
Mount Kanlaon continues to exhibit significant volcanic activities which pose serious threats to lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, and overall safety of communities within the Negros Island Region based on recent monitoring and analysis by the NDRRMSlC and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
“There is a need to ensure a coordinated government action and response to reduce the impact of Mt. Kanlaon’s volcanic activities and expedite the recovery and redevelopment of affected communities,” AO 32 read.
AO 32, which was made public on Friday, takes effect immediately.
Phivolcs’ modernization OK’d
The Chief Executive has also signed into law a measure modernizing the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to improve its technological operational capacity and strengthen its role.
Under Republic Act (RA) No. 12180, Phivolcs will be provided with state-of-the-art equipment, highly trained personnel, and more seismic stations to increase its capability to detect and locate earthquake, volcanic, and tsunami events, particularly in communities at risk.
RA 12180 mandates the executive director of Phivolcs to formulate the Phivolcs Modernization Program and oversee its implementation based on the policy objectives.
“The Phivolcs Modernization Program shall be implemented for a period of five years,” the law said.
The law creates the Phivolcs Modernization Fund that would be used exclusively for the modernization program.
An amount of P1.25 billion per year for the first four years and P2 billion for the fifth year will be appropriated for the Phivolcs Modernization Fund.
The agency’s physical resources and operational standards will be upgraded through state-of-the-art instruments, equipment, facilities, and systems to enhance its capabilities in providing critical, timely, accurate, and reliable volcanological and seismological data and localized warning and information services.
A systematic approach will also be adopted to advance Phivolcs’ research and development capabilities.
Phivolcs’ volcanological and seismological monitoring stations will be expanded in strategic sites in the country to broaden its base for the delivery of services in the countryside.
To centralize the provision of volcanic, earthquake, tsunami, and other related information to the public and stakeholders involved in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, a state-of-the-art data center will be strengthened, consistent with international standards.
The new law also facilitates the strengthening of linkages and cooperation at the national level among the various providers and users of geological, seismological and other services.
Under RA 12180, the base pay and benefits of Phivolcs personnel will also be more competitive to promote professionalism and commitment to the service.
Phivolcs is directed to engage with the private sector, civil society, academic community, and other stakeholders to pursue areas of collaboration.
The law takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
