Lapu-Lapu to tap MMDA on disaster preparedness

CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu City government will tap experts from Metro Manila Development Authority in its move to prepare different barangays for disasters and calamities.

Lapu-Lapu City Administrator Teodulo Ybañez said experts and personnel from Metro Manila Development Authority will be the speakers and trainers of 60 participants coming from the different barangays.

Ybañez said there are ongoing trainings and seminars in the different barangays related to disaster preparedness.

The seminar and trainings are initiated by the members of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, Bureau of Fire and Protection and the Local Disaster Risk and Management Council.

Ybañez said tapping the experts and personnel from MMDA will help them upgrade their knowledge in effective response during disaster and calamities.

The earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda last year, according to Ybañez, will be the basis to educate the people especially the barangay officials.

He added that barangay officials are at the frontline of defense not only related to peace and order but also in terms of calamity response.

The training and seminar next week will focus on the islet barangays in Lapu-Lapu City like Caubian, Caohagan and Pangan-an.

The Department of Education is also involved by the city government in disaster preparedness seminar and training.

Meanwhile, the Lapu-Lapu City Engineering Office will submit their observations on the implementation of road concreting projects in the city funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Assistant City Engineer Maribeth Sorono said the DPWH is the one responsible of the road implementation in Barangay Basak, which is part of the Mactan Circumferential Road.

Sorono said they received numerous complaints from commuters on the problem in Barangay Basak where an ongoing road concreting project is implemented by DPWH.

However, Sorono said they can suggest and make recommendation, but the final decision is on the DPWH.

 Sorono said the DPWH has also its own monitoring team to implement the projects and determine if the contractor is complying with the requirements of their contract.

Ybanez said most of the complaints from the commuters reached them, but he reiterated that the problem is with the DPWH's end.

"Mahimo nato mao lang gayud ang pagpaabot sa maong reklamo ngadto sa DPWH," said Ybanez.—  (FREEMAN)