BONTOC, Mountain Province – To encourage and promote a culture of disaster preparedness among the municipalities in the province, the search for the best prepared municipality with regards to disaster preparedness was launched last October 2014.
Following its launching, members of the monitoring team from the Provincial Government of Mountain Province will be going over to the different municipalities on the last week of January to start the first round of initial assessment based on established criteria
The activity was clearly coordinated with the different municipalities and was approved as one of the activity during the celebration of the Mountain Province Foundation Day and Lang-ay Festival 2015.
It is known that Mountain Province with its mountainous topography, rugged roads including risky behaviors of motorists and remote barangays had its own experience of massive destruction of property disruption of livelihood and integral services and loss of human lives. Natural events such as typhoons and earthquakes leading to massive landslides are likewise common. Nevertheless, the people of the place are known for their resilience and readiness to help in voluntary deeds.
In relation to disaster reduction, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, Anacleto Tangilag said that an institutionalized disaster risk reduction plan made through the coordinated efforts of all the stakeholders that is accepted, well-communicated and updated together with an efficient and effective team of emergency responders is vital in minimizing mortalities, morbidities and disabilities.
Tangilag added that an emergency responder equipped with updated knowledge on emergency management and appropriate skills in handling injuries in emergencies and disasters can translate into an efficient response to emergencies with a definite reduction in loss of lives, livelihood and properties.
Tangilag further equipped that the encouragement and promotion of a culture of disaster preparedness in the province is noted in the provisions of the Disaster Risk Reduction Management of 2010 known as RA 10121.
