The Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) gathered barangay captains, focal persons of disaster risk reduction and management councils, barangay secretaries, and SK chairpersons from the city’s 182 barangays in a town hall session on July 1. This is to discuss policies, laws, and guidelines that will further advance the effectiveness of the city’s disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) measures.
Barangay captains, their secretaries and treasurers, along with SK chairpersons were present during the session.
“The very purpose of this is para mareiterate nato sa atoang mga punong barangay ang preparedness or preparations for disasters (The very purpose of this session is to reiterate the importance of disaster preparedness to our barangay captains),” Alfredo Baloran, Head of the CDRRMO, said in an interview.
Among the topics discussed were the proper utilization of disaster fundings in barangays and DRRM-related circulars that barangays need to implement.
A representative from the Department of Education was also among the speakers in the session where they discussed protocols on class suspension.
Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, in a message read by City Councilor Alberto Ungab, highlighted the crucial role of the local government in further advancing the safety and security of the city, and in creating a disaster resilient Davao City.
“By implementing plans and policies that address disasters through community-based prevention programs and other resilience measures we may continue to ensure public safety and security across all barangays in the city,” he said.
“May this townhall session ignite a spirit of collaboration among everyone of us to be proactive champions in promoting safety and disaster preparedness in our communities, and to advance our shared commitment to building a safer, more resilient, and more peaceful Davao City for years to come,” Duterte added.
Baloran also said that they intend to equip and organize puroks within the barangay to have their own disaster volunteers. These volunteers will undergo training in disaster and emergency response so that they can immediately and efficiently assist in disaster and emergency situations.
The CDRRMO is also set to conduct several activities during the month-long observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month. These include several trainings, blood donation drives, and tree-planting activities. Dabawenyos are urged to participate, and are enjoined in building a disaster resilient Davao City. CIO
Written by: J. Villaluz
Edited by: A. Nawal