Biliran PDRRMC bares plans for 2011

By FLOR JACKSON, PIA Biliran
January 18, 2011

NAVAL, Biliran  –  A tactical plan was presented by the Biliran Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) recently during a meeting of the council members at the Governor’s Hall located at the 3rd Floor of the provincial capitol in Brgy. Calumpang, Naval as part of the efforts to mitigate the effects of calamity and disasters and to be prepared always in times when situations like these happen in the province.

“We must always be prepared before any calamity hit our province”, thus said Governor Gerryboy Espina, chairman of the PDRRMC in Biliran and presiding officer of the PDRRMC meeting.

Governor Espina informed that part of the 70% of the calamity fund of the provincial government of Biliran amounting to some P11 million is planned for the purchase of vehicles which will be used for disaster preparedness and response activities.

He said, the vehicles to be purchased will include one unit Hilux pick-up, one Mitsubishi FB van, one mini dumptruck and one covered Elf truck.

Mr. Tiburcio Morales, a retired regional director of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in region 8 and now a member of the Biliran PDRRMC representing the private sector suggested that brand new units of mini dumptrucks and mini Elf truck must be purchased to ensure that these vehicles will be in good running condition and can effectively function during relief and rehabilitation activities in times of calamities and disasters.

The suggestion of Mr. Morales was immediately approved by Governor Gerryboy saying that brand new vehicles can function well for five years without undergoing engine repair.

Also to be taken from the P11 million fund representing the 70% of the calamity fund will be used for the conduct of disaster risk reduction trainings, seminars, capability building, installation of early warning signals and the conduct of drills and demonstrations to mitigate the effects of disasters.

“Part of the amount will likewise be used for the acquisition of emergency medical first aid kits amounting to P10,000 per barangay to be distributed to the 132 barangays of the province of Biliran”, Gov. Gerryboy said.

He informed that part of the funds will also be used for the construction of engineering structures like flood control, sea wall, bridges, roads and repair of some damaged structures in identified areas all over the province.