As the Philippines takes a more proactive role in facing the challenge of preparing for natural or human-induced disasters, it is imperative that the LGUs be empowered with the capacities to effectively respond and reduce the risks of a calamity.
The DILG, as the Vice Chair for Disaster Preparedness, has identified sets of relevant interventions for disaster preparedness that aim to create an enabling environment for Local Government Units (LGUs) to further develop their capacities towards mitigating the adverse impacts of disasters and climate change.
These initiatives include the Provincial Preparedness Partnership Dialogue spearheaded by DILG Quezon on March 30, 2017 at Queen Margaret Hotel in Lucena City.
The activity which brought together regional, provincial, and local disaster risk reduction and management councils; civil society organizations; city and municipal local government operations officers; and other local stakeholders aimed to widen partnerships and deepen the commitment of various stakeholders in supporting LGUs in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM).
Through the dialogue, lessons learned and feedback from partners and stakeholders on the implementation of Operation LISTO were identified; ways forward to address the gaps presented and the activities that needed to be undertaken were discussed and agreed upon, and other DRRM interventions from partners were considered.
After workshops were accomplished, a localized planning mechanism on the implementation of a Provincial Disaster Preparedness Plan was crafted. The plan incorporated the seven Operation LISTO components, namely (1) Information, Education, and Communication; (2) Partnerships; (3) Capacity Building; (4) DRRM Localization; (5) Risk Assessment and Plans; (6) Continuity of Essential Services; and (7) Preparedness for Emergency And Disaster Response.
Among the five provincial offices in CALABARZON, DILG Quezon takes pride in pioneering Operation LISTO Activities. The DILG continues to capacitate LGUs on disaster resiliency to help vulnerable communities and families, especially those in eastern seaboard and major river basin, be safe at all times.
To create a wide network and further strengthen partnerships with existing stakeholders, the same preparedness and partnership dialogue was also rolled out in other provinces of the region. —LP Oliveros, DILG Quezon