This scholarly but comprehensive and detailed presentation on climate change adaptation is prepared by Mr. Nong Rangasa, et.al, for the consumption of every Filipino. Mr. Rangasa (above photo) is at present the Executive Director of Albay’s Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Change Adaptation (CIRCA)
(Continuation of a series By Nong Rangasa et.al.)
It supports the Albay Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) in the implementation of the organization’s objectives as mandated by the Presidential Decree No. 1566 and other related laws. It is tasked to administer effective and efficient interventions into distress areas in coordination with the different PDCC organic and regular members in the Province of Albay. APSEMO administers and supervises the systematic delivery of services to the public in terms of Disaster Risk Management and Public Safety coordination with the Local Disaster Coordinating Councils (LDCCs), PHIVOLCS, PAGASA, Governor’s Office and NGOs due to the effects of natural and man made calamities. It also facilitates the restoration and rehabilitation of disaster-stricken communities. Specifically it is tasked to: delineate the functions of Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council members and volunteers before, during and after the calamity impact; eenhance communication linkages within the organization and between sectors involved
in public safety anchored on disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery; and maintain active coordination between and among the LGUs, GOs, NGOs and PDCC member agencies to ensure timely warning and appropriate response on disaster-related activities.
The APSEMO supports the programs and structure of National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). The activities of the APSEMO are as follows:
Disaster Preparedness: Hazard assessment, documentation of risk areas and mapping, research & planning for crisis administration, education & training / drills in LGUs, road safety and technical assistance to cities, municipalities and barangay disaster coordinating councils as well as the various schools and universities and the business sectors. Developed warning criteria on floods, landslides and mudflows.
Disaster Mitigation: Policy development, policy on geo-strategic interventions, short-term policy on setting of curfew, prohibition of human activities in the danger zones, disposition of relief and donations, integration of disaster risk reduction to CLUP, community training & public awareness on structural, non-structural disaster mitigation requirements.
Disaster Response Operations: Overall administration and coordination of disaster response activities such as execution of emergency plans, communication & information management, monitoring of disaster situation, stabilizing the crisis situation, provide ambulant services to the distress victims, command post, and the likes.Recovery: Damage assessment, rehabilitation planning and secure funding. Organizing of disaster recovery & development team through cluster approach.Others: Issuances of certification on danger zone and hazard area, renders technical assistance as resource person to GOs, NGOs, LGUs, and SUCs, conduct research, consultancy and the likes, upon request. Provide technical support to LGU’s & NGOs on disaster risk reduction strategic.
Various indigenous local response mechanisms to landslides, floods, strong winds and heavy rainfall are apparent in some communities in the province. However, the APPSEMO is still on the process of documenting and verifying the effectiveness of these mechanisms (Daep, 2007).
The provincial government had recently installed 15 rain gauges on the slopes of Mt Mayon - an early warning system against deadly floods. The plan is to install more sophisticated early warning weather stations. However, this requires high financial costs. Also, the APPSEMO recognizes the need for more effective communication systems to ensure the accurate flow of information before, during and after disasters. The provincial Governor has also introduced the concept of “pre-emptive evacuations”. In November 2007 and again in February 2008, hundreds of thousands of residents were ordered to leave their homes for the safety of schools, public buildings and other evacuation sites before the arrival of large storms.
For the next three years, the provincial government of Albay has outlined the following activities:
• Community based training and public information on the importance of disaster management concepts; issuance of timely warning on impending threat of hazard; strengthening of the LGU capabilities on disaster management;
• Research and documentation on hazard information and databank – updating the hazard profile of all municipalities in Albay and to analyze data on man-made disasters for public safety studies;
• Risk reduction and disaster response – mitigation of damages caused by debris and landslide and prevention of loss of lives/damages to properties;
• Modernization/refurbishing of disaster operation center – upgrading of the existing conference room to provide better and state of the art facilities;
“Albay Declaration on Climate Change Adaptation” mainstreaming climate change into local and national development policies.
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