ILOILO – To cushion the impacts of El Niño, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) passed a resolution creating a taskforce.
The formulation of the team, in reference to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Memorandum Circular No. 05, Series of 2023, was made during a special meeting of the PDRRMC led by executive officer Colonel Cornelio Salinas and Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, on Tuesday afternoon at Casa Real de Iloilo.
“The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils as well as the local government units may adopt the National El Niño team structure, however, they may accordingly adjust the composition as deemed necessary,” read part of the memo.
The Provincial El Niño Task Force shall be led by the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), with the PDRRMC being the implementing arm of the PDRRMC. Further, the PDRRMO shall also serve as co-presider during the Provincial El Niño Task Force meetings.
Task force El Niño shall focus on five key sectors composed of the following: food security, water security, energy security, health security, and public safety.
“These key sectors are tasked with carrying out the mitigation effects and implementation of actions and plans focused on their respective sectors while guided by the four DRRM Thematic Areas/Pillars. Likewise, these sectors are required to develop their respective sector plans, which, subsequently, shall be part of the provincial action plan,” said Salinas.
For food security, the lead agency or office is the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAgRO), and members are the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (DWSD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Iloilo, Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Iloilo, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Iloilo, National Food Authority (NFA)-Iloilo, National Irrigation Administration (NIA)-Iloilo and Guimaras, and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Iloilo.
For water security, the lead office is the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources (PGENRO), and the members are DILG, DOST, PAGASA, NIA, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), and the Public Information and Community Affairs Office (PICAO).
For energy sector, the lead office is the PPDO, and the members are the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), National Telecommunication Office (NTC), and Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ILECO) I to III.
For health security, the lead officer is the Provincial Health Office (PHO), and the members are the Hospital Management Office (HMO), Department of Education (DepEd), PSWDO, PPDO, PICAO, PGENRO, DOST, and DILG.
FUNCTIONS AND TASKING
* Tasked with carrying out mitigation efforts and implementing actions and plans focused on their respective sectors while guided by the DRRM Thematic Areas and Pillars.
* Required to develop their respective plan, which subsequently shall be part of the Provincial Action Plan.
* Develop comprehension strategies and plans for managing and responding to El Niño events, covering all sectors.
* Assess the potential risks and vulnerabilities associated with El Niño in different municipalities, including evaluating the impact on agriculture, water availability, infrastructure, and public health.
* Allocated resources effectively to implement strategies and plans. Ensure that funds, personnel, and equipment are available to respond to El Niño-related challenges promptly.
* Coordinated efforts among various government agencies, non-government organizations, and international partners involved in El Niño management
* Facilitate collaboration and information sharing to ensure a unified response.
Another resolution passed by the PDRRMC is to organize the Provincial Rapid/Post-Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis Team (R/PDANA) to enhance the province’s capacity to assess and respond to the impacts of disasters in a systematic manner.
The team will be headed by the PDRRMO. The members are the Provincial Treasurer’s Office, PAgRO, PEO, PSWDO, HMO, PGENRO, and any PDRRMC member or accredited civil society organization.
Salinas said they received reports, especially from the media, on the slow release of calamity damage reports, which is why there should be a team focusing on this.
As of March 4, based on a partial report from the PAgRO, El Niño caused at least P487.828 million in damage, wherein damage to rice reached P422,610,445, for corn – P63,000,201, and high-value crops – P2,218,350.
Here are the 16 towns that submitted reports of damages to rice: Tigbauan (P17,591,834), Oton (P32,475,326), Tubungan (P22,122,120), Anilao (P52,223,800), San Enrique (P2,956,879), Cabatuan (P42,881,524), Barotac Nuevo (P67,919,610), Miag-ao (P2,872,117.86), Mina (P7,962,403), Dingle (P7,338,811), Dumangas (P121,045,130), Igbaras (P1,529,505), Banate (P21,553,300), Zarraga (P913,008), San Miguel (P5,839,222), and Carles (15,385,850).
About 8,504 rice farmers have been affected so far from the following towns: Tigbauan (424), Oton (631), Tubungan (780), Anilao (1,176), San Enrique (181), Cabatuan (1,023), Barotac Nuevo (937), Miag-ao (87), Mina (353), Dingle (110), Dumangas (1,489), Igbaras (42), Banate (504), Zarraga (12), San Miguel (125), and Carles (630)./PN
