CEBU, Philippines - The League of Municipalities of the Philippines is pushing for the charging of salaries of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office personnel to the calamity fund.
LMP Cebu chapter president, Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante Jr., said they made the request following the call of the Department of Interior and Local Government to make disaster preparedness a way of life and strengthen the disaster risk reduction and management plans of their respective local government units to prevent tragic loss of lives during natural calamities.
“Kami amo gihangyo sa LMP nga ang PS (personal services) sa modala anang opisinaha dapat kuhaon sa calamity fund,” Diamante said.
Diamante suggested that the head of LDRRMO be given a plantilla position as department head.
He said LGUs can no longer afford to pay the salary of the office personnel if charged to PS of the general fund.
“Lahi man ang understanding didto sa taas,” Diamante said.
Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, provides that there shall be established an LDRRMO in every province, city and municipality, and a Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (BDRRMC) in every barangay.
The LDRRMO shall be under the office of the governor, city or municipal mayor and the punong barangay in case of the BDRRMC. The LDRRMOs shall be initially organized and composed of a DRRM Officer to be assisted by three staff.
The law also provides Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF), previously known as calamity fund, of not less than five percent of the estimated revenue from regular sources to support disaster risk management activities.
Of the amount appropriated for LDRRMF, 30 percent shall be allocated as Quick Response Fund or stand-by fund for relief and recovery programs so that the situation and living conditions of people in areas hit by disasters, calamities, epidemics, or complex emergencies, may be normalized as quickly as possible.
The 70-percent allocation, on the other hand, is for disaster prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, rehabilitation and recovery.
Diamante attended as host of the recently concluded LMP Luzon Cluster Conference held in Cebu where DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, the vice chairman for preparedness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, issued the call.
Diamante agreed that mayors have to be pro-active in disaster preparedness as calamities and natural disasters are unpredictable. — (FREEMAN)