Cordillera Regional Risk Office of Civil Defense Reduction and Management Cordillera Region Council

PRESS RELEASE March 26, 2013

“Advocating pro-active Participation of LCEs on DRRM” The devastations brought by typhoon “Pablo” served as the wake-up call for all LCEs to further intensify their roles on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM). In response to President Benigno Aquino III directives to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), a four (4) day Pre-Summit followed by a (1) day National Summit for Local Chief Executives and PDRRM officers was conducted last March 12-15 and March 20 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). This event was attended by Cordillera Local Chief Executives (LCEs), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (PDRRMO), and the Regional Directors of the Office of Civil Defense- Cordillera (OCD-CAR) Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-CAR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST-CAR), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG-CAR) and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA-CAR) The Pre-summit challenges the LCEs to place DRRM as priority program for their locality as well as the realization of their roles and responsibilities on DRRM. It also served as the leg work of the National Summit. The objective of the National Summit is to come-up with a comprehensive and standard understanding of DRRM roles and responsibilities of LCEs for the effective and efficient delivery of government services. Outputs produced during the summit were the Declaration of Commitment to DRRM Actions by LCEs that fully specifies their adherence with the government and CSOs in preserving the lives and properties of its constituents by ensuring strict implementation of DRRM programs. Likewise, learning experiences and challenges were identified. LCEs were also familiarized with accessible DRRM tools and actions for inclusion of a locally-driven DRRM action plan. Lastly, a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) on the allocation and utilization of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) was formulated as guide to LGUs for transparency and accountability in the use of the LDRRM Fund.

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