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REGION 6 or Western Visayas is experiencing La Niña albeit weak, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. Are local government units (LGUs) prepared? They must brace for the weather phenomenon, which is expected to bring heavy rains, through effective climate-resilient and disaster risk reduction (DRR) programs.
During La Niña, we are expected to experience more than the normal rainfall as well as more typhoons. Hence, LGUs must enhance community-based disaster management and early warning system. Empowered and equipped with the necessary mandate, knowledge, skills and tools, LGUs should develop their own DRR and climate change adaption plan of action to prevent loss of lives and minimize damage to property brought about by extreme weather conditions.
LGUs should improve disaster risk information through risk identification or assessment, make people more responsive to government-issued disaster warnings, reduce sources of risk and exposure of vulnerable sector by providing house upgrading and relocation options for settlers located in hazardous areas, and ensure effective disaster preparedness and recovery mechanisms by encouraging active participation of the vulnerable communities.
We have to be ready for the impacts of La Niña. Agencies of government, both national and local levels, must work together to help communities projected to be hit. Desilting and dredging of rivers, canals and drainage systems should already be underway to reduce or prevent flooding. Meanwhile, communities in landslide-prone areas should already have been relocated not only due to the impending La Niña, but also because such areas should not be inhabited in the first place.
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