The Cabinet cluster on Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation, and Disaster Risk Reduction reports its efforts in building stronger and safer communities in a Pre-SONA (State of the Nation Address) Forum on July 22.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Sec. Roy Cimatu mentioned that the tropical cyclones, strong earthquakes, El Niño, and a volcano eruption that happened just between July 2019 and May 2020 cost a billion pesos in damages to properties, agriculture, and infrastructure.
He said over ₱2 billion worth of assistance were provided for search, rescue, and retrieval operations for typhoon and earthquake victims nationwide.
Calamity-affected small scale farmers and fisherfolks, including agrarian reform beneficiaries, were also provided with over ₱6 billion as loan assistance for agricultural production, processing facilities and farm improvement.
Moreover, as insurance for ₱1.92 million of rice, corn and high value crops, over ₱300 million worth of climate change adaptation projects were approved for implementation under the People’s Survival Fund in several provinces.
Accurate reporting and preparation for hazards
One Doppler weather radar was established in Bohol in 2019, bringing an overall count of 17 Doppler weather radars established nationwide. Number of high frequency Doppler radars has increased to 24, commissioned with two satellite tele-metered seismic stations raising the total to 104, and additional nine active fault maps.
Training and technical assistance were provided to local government units (LGUs), national government agencies and the private sector. Through the GeoRiskPH, HazardHunterPH program and the GeoAnalyticsPH platforms were developed which aimed to generate data for more accurate reporting and preparing for hazards.
The Philippines was also able to access funds from the green climate fund with the approval of a US$10 million project for the establishment of a multi-hazard impact based forecasting and early warning system in hazard-prone provinces.
Public service continuity at post-disaster
The government command and control centers are established to ensure prompt availability of critical lifelines, safe open spaces and critical lifeline facilities in Metro Manila were identified and met.
The Government Emergency Communication System mobile operations vehicle for emergency – rapid deployable emergency communication systems to disaster-stricken areas in the country was launched.
Rehabilitation in PH bodies of water
DENR reported a beach easement recovery reached 67% completion. Structures not compliant with the required easement were demolished. The Boracay Circumferential Road Improvement is almost 50% completed.
Boracay drainage improvement projects construction to address island flooding is on track, according to DENR, adding that water quality has already reached the safe level for swimming and skin-diving.
Manila Bay’s rehabilitation also makes headway in the clean-up and improving the water quality. At the Manila Baywalk, a 1.7-kilometer wastewater interceptor was constructed to catch dirty waters. As a result, coliform levels at the Baywalk area have drastically decreased recently. A 2.5-kilometer long trash boom was already installed, designed to trap for collection of floating debris coming offshore before these would inundate the seawall of the Manila Baywalk.
Dredging of the Tullahan–Tinajeros River System through the support of San Miguel Corporation’s one billion pledge for the dredging and clean-up of the river system has also started. With the help of barangays, communities, private sectors and estero rangers, the massive clean-up of the esteros continues.
Plantations and water supply security
Support for bamboo plantations was increased. Mangrove rehabilitation is also being pursued to protect coastal communities; 35 legislated marine protected areas are being maintained and protected; 29 marine protected area networks were established to improve fish catch and conserve biodiversity; and rehabilitation of mineralized areas and slope stabilization of mined out and tailings covered areas is being implemented.
Government pursued the protection and rehabilitation of rivers. About 16 rivers nationwide were identified as most improved in water quality, while 585 water bodies to date were adopted nationwide by private sector partners. Monitoring of water bodies nationwide showed improvement in water quality.
To ensure steady water supply, the Angat Dam low level outlet was rehabilitated to serve as back-up water discharge ensuring operability. A total of 89 deep wells were reactivated, 156 mobile tankers and 12 static water tanks were deployed in 45 affected barangays. 46 groundwater monitoring wells were installed in groundwater critical areas.
Waste disposal and air quality management
Some 27 dump sites were closed, while 382 materials recovery facilities and 22 sanitary landfills were constructed.
To manage garbage, LGUs were provided with equipment and facilities worth over ₱1 billion. Use of certain single use plastic items were prohibited in all government offices.
To respond to the accumulation and improper disposal of medical wastes due to the COVID-19 outbreak, new policies were issued to better manage hazardous wastes.
On air quality management, 104 ambient air quality monitoring stations are being maintained in highly urbanized centers nationwide. Data shows that in 2019, the country has good air quality as levels of criteria pollutants PM10 and PM2.5 were within the standard. (CCAM-DRR Cabinet cluster) / CF – rir
