Gibo: LGUs should take lead in disaster management efforts

CEBU, Philippines - Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer and former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. said local government units (LGUs) should take the lead in disaster risk management efforts and in strictly enforcing land use and zoning plans to improve the country’s capability in responding to disasters.

Teodoro also said Congress needs to pass a disaster risk management bill that would “synergize national government efforts and the LGUs’ response” in preventing, mitigating and responding to calamities.

“It all boils down to resources so we need good governance (to raise funds for disaster risk management efforts),” Teodoro said. “We should be strict in implementing land use and zoning plans in the local government units which are based on geohazard mapping…. The key words are ‘protect, conserve and restore’ the environment.”

He was responding to a query by a University of Asia and the Pacific student, who asked him what he thought, as former chairman of the National Disaster and Coordinating Council, were the concrete steps needed to improve the country’s disaster risk management capabilities.

He said he was thankful that public forums and debates where the country’s current crop of presidential candidates are grilled on current issues and concerns are being held prior to the May 2010 elections because they reflect a participative citizenry, which is necessary in a democracy.

 “Ang ating bansa ay humaharap sa napakaraming suliranin. Matutugonan ito kapag may pagkakaisa, pagkakaintindihan, at tigil bangayan (Our nation faces many problems. We can address these if we have unity, understanding and if we stop bickering),” Teodoro said.

Leloy Claudio, a debate champion and lecturer from the Ateneo de Manila University, said that rather than ask “the same old question” about Arroyo, he said Filipinos should “move on” and discuss more relevant concerns such as health and education.

On his views on Teodoro, Claudio said: “I may not agree with many of his views but I’m comforted by the fact that he knows what he’s doing.”

Teodoro has been winning the hearts and minds of the Filipino youth, primarily because of his enthusiastic participation in live forums and debates where he is often lauded for his “concise, to-the-point” answers to questions.

He has emerged the runaway winner during the mock polls held after these live forums, including at the University of the Philippines in Diliman and the Choice and Voices forum held in Cebu.

He has also been the consistent topnotcher in various presidential online polls. Young Filipinos aged 29 and below comprise the majority of Internet users in the country. — /WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)