BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance requiring the installation of warning signages in all identified risk-prone areas in the city.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Arthur Alad-iw stated that there shall be warning signages installed and maintained in all identified and would be identified risk-prone areas in all barangays and other areas in the city.
The ordinance added that the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC) shall coordinate together with the concerned agencies and offices relative to the signage installations, and updating and identifying of risk-prone areas in the city.
The ordinance stipulated the contents of the warning signages shall be written in English with the corresponding Filipino translation to be designed by the CDRRMO in collaboration with other concerned agencies and offices based in the city.
Further, the ordinance mandated the CDRRMO to allot in its annual budget so much funds sufficient to guarantee the sustained implementation of the measure that will guarantee the safety of the residents and visitors alike.
It has been a declared policy of the State to recognize and strengthen the capacities of local government units and communities in mitigating and preparing for, responding to and recovering from the impact of disasters as enunciated under Republic Act (RA) 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act which promotes the development of disaster management capacities at the individual, organizational, and institutional levels and one of the four priority thematic areas described is prevention and mitigation.
Section 280 of Ordinance No. 18, series of 2016 or the Environment Code of Baguio City mandate the development and institutionalization of early warning systems wherein apart from those prescribed by law, the CDRRMO shall coordinate the installation of early warning systems and devices in all identified high risk areas.
Moreover, when necessary, it shall design and define area-specific early warning systems and devices for the information of the public.
The ordinance underscored the need to expound and strengthen the pronouncements stated in national and local laws to ensure their full and effective implementation.
Earlier, the Cordillera office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-CAR) identified the areas susceptible to landslides, flood and sinking in the city’s barangays and other areas in the city and that the agency completed the map of landslide-prone areas and an advisory coupled with recommendations were furnished to the concerned barangays for the information and guidance of the residents.
The ordinance explained there is also a need to institutionalize the putting up of warning signages in all identified landslide, flood and sinking prone areas in the city to give spirit to what has been expressly stated under existing laws, rules and regulations.
The ordinance was referred to the concerned committee of the local legislative body for study and recommendation whether it will pass second and third readings.
By Dexter A. See
