MDRRM COUNCIL MITIGATES DISASTER PREPAREDNESS THROUGH ELCCAP FORMULATION TRAINING

Advancing against Climate Change in Manolo Fortich

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management (MDRRM) Council, in its ceaseless objective to combat threats against natural disasters and calamities, gathers through the Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan (ELCCAP) Formulation training at Ricardo’s, Mampayag, Manolo Fortich last December 13 to 15, 2023.

The ELCCAP Formulation Training was initiated by the Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO) headed by Officer in Charge, Cherry Fe Amor Q. Magallones, in close coordination with the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (LDRRMO). It aims to mitigate plans for disaster preparedness brought by climate change as it focuses on the well-being of the community.

Resource speaker Hazel L. Occena, Local Government Operations Officer VII of the Department of Interior and Local Government - 10 (DILG 10), describes the ELCCAP’s function, “The ELCCAP is a derivative plan. Mao ni inyong comprehensive and long-term plan. Magbalik mo og tanaw sa inyong other action plans related to disaster preparedness and you base it from there when you craft your action plan in adjusting against climate change.”

In support, the ELCCAP Formulation Training relied heavily on the existing Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) report. The training also included a series of discussions and workshops that supported the participants’ learning measures for climate change preparations. The participants were divided into 4 sectors, namely Infrastructure, Environment, Economic, and Social where they designed their sample action plans that are relevant to their sector’s expected outcomes and responsibilities when climate change strikes.

Among the participants is Hannah Grace Pagute, Social Welfare Officer I of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO). She shares her appreciation of the LGU’s efforts, “It shows na gihatagan jud sa LGU og value ang preparedness. Sa una kay if naay disaster, mas mo invest ta sa response. But now, pwede nato ma mitigate ang impact. Dili man kaayo ta disaster prone nga area, pero mas ginatagaan nato siya og bili ang preparedness.”

On the other note, Municipal Executive Secretary Atty. Ricci Jamila wraps up the last day of the training by instilling a reminder to the members of the MDRRM Council, “Let us recognize the importance of collaboration and commitment for it is through collective efforts that we can continually address the challenges caused by climate change. Not only for our constituents, but for future generations as well.”

The 3-day ELCCAP Formulation Training turned out to be a productive activity. However, the process of preparing the action plan is a longer process as it will involve more discussions and planning. Atty. Jamila expressed that it is the MDRRM Council’s shared responsibility to address these pressing concerns of climate change by crafting sustainable developments and environment friendly policies for the welfare of the community of Manolo Fortich.