By Saul Pa-a/Philippine News Agency
Batangas Provincial Capitol (Photo courtesy of Batangas provincial government)
BATANGAS CITY — The provincial government is mapping out a comprehensive contingency plan to cushion the impacts of a super typhoon, an official said Friday.
Batangas public information office chief Jenelyn Aguilera said that provincial officials, along with representatives from the local government units (LGUs), national line agencies, and non-government organizations, have collaborated to craft the plan.
“This is the latest contingency planning formulation for the province after the earlier plans were crafted through the initiative of the provincial government like the contingency plans in the event of a tsunami, earthquake, and eruption of Taal Volcano,” Aguilera said in an interview.
The provincial government, through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), led the two-day contingency planning formulation workshop for hydrometeorological hazard, which ended Wednesday at the Pontefino Hotel.
She said the workshop was part of the culminating activities of the local government’s observance of the Disaster Resilience Awareness Month in July with this year’s theme, “Kahandaan sa Sakuna’t Peligro Para sa Tunay na Pagbabago” (preparedness for disaster and hazards for real change).
Lawyer Kimberly Diane Garcia, the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer II, said the workshop was aimed at designing a guide for the local government units (LGUs), so they could come up with appropriate actions for Batangueños who may be affected in the event of a strong typhoon.
Garcia cited Section 12 of the Republic Act 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Reduction and Management Act, which mandates the PDRRMO to supervise the formulation of contingency planning for calamities or disasters, which might hit the province.
“The concrete plans serve as guide for the LGUs so that they could formulate the appropriate actions and interventions to help Batangueño residents who might be affected during a strong typhoon,” she said.
Garcia said part of the contingency plan is to enhance the skills of local disaster management officers, search and rescue workers, and emergency responders; and strengthen the capabilities of the Batangas LGUs amid risks and hazards posed by natural disasters.
During the workshop, the PDRRMO also recalled as a case reference when Super Typhoon Glenda struck the province in July 2014.
It assessed that “Glenda” was the strongest typhoon to ever hit the province in recent times, and wrought havoc with a death toll of 17 and around PHP5-billion in damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and livestock.
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