Bogo under state of preparedness

CEBU, Philippines - The City of Bogo has declared under state of preparedness against the effects of natural calamities, as well as the prevailing El Niño phenomenon.

Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. made the declaration yesterday through Executive Order 24, which allows the city to undertake measures and mechanisms to protect vulnerable areas and communities at risk as part of its long term plan.

Martinez noted that the city is prone to climate change-induced hazards like typhoons, floods, landslides, storm surges, among others.

The declaration directed barangay officials to enforce the city-wide ban against charcoal-making as it increases the intensity and impacts of hazards such as climate change.

“This livelihood will cause death of many. It is high time to impose the banning of these activities, inculcate public awareness that income generated from such cannot be eaten, drunk or breathed in,” the mayor said.

Ben Frederick Rodriguez, chief of the Bogo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, believes that charcoal-making are still being practiced secretly in some areas.

“Di lang gyod sila masakpan kay tago-tago ra man ning ilang pag-uling. Makit-an na lang nga putol na ang mga kahoy,” he said.

He, however, admitted that the enforcement of the order would be a challenge and that the community plays a big role in the risk mitigation process.

“Amo lang is mapasabot ang mga tawo. Karon pa lang, dapat i-address na ning mga issues,” he said.

He said the city has not yet adopted measures to strictly enforce the ban against charcoal-making, which is prohibited under the law.

The city has also implemented the zero burning policy which prohibits households from burning garbage because it can increase health hazards and atmospheric temperature which fuels weather disturbances such as super typhoons.

Bogo City was among the 16 local government units in northern Cebu that bore the brunt of super typhoon Yolanda in November 2013.

The city also took cognizance of the adverse effects of El Niño which was projected by PAGASA to persist until the second quarter of next year, and the La Niña which often follows after, causing massive flooding.

The barangays were also directed to conduct de-clogging and tree planting activities.

“Planting more trees especially bamboo creates more livelihood, fresh air, food and water. It mitigates the impact of typhoons, flooding, landslides, and droughts. The barangay officials are encouraged to prioritize in their cash/food for work on bamboo planting and de-clogging natural waterways and drainages instead of clearing of grasses along highways,” read part of the Executive Order 24.

Business sector, schools, and families were also asked to formulate their own disaster contingency plan.

The local disaster risk reduction and management office was tasked to strictly monitor compliance with the order and make recommendations. — (FREEMAN)