In the aftermath of typhoons, floods and Lanao tragedy
NANCY SEEKS FULL REVIEW OF DRRM PROTOCOLS, 'ZERO-CASUALTY' GOAL

Senator Nancy Binay today called for a full review of the disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) protocols, especially in the wake of a large death toll left by Tropical Storm "Vinta". "Habang nakikiramay kami sa mga nawalan ng mga mahal sa buhay dulot ng mga dumaang kalamidad, nais rin nating maiwasan ang mga ganitong pangyayari sa hinaharap," Binay said.

"I am calling for a full review of our existing protocols for disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) from the national government level down to the local governments to find out if there are loopholes in the system and the steps to take to address those. Dapat po nating ibalik ang 'zero casualty' mindset," she added.

A total of 164 persons were reported killed in Regions IX, X, and in the ARMM while 176 were reported missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The province of Lanao del Norte has declared a state of calamity, alongside the municipality of Tambulig in Zamboanga del Norte. The towns of Siocon, Gutalac, Salug and Labason in Zamboanga del Norte were also placed under a state of calamity.

Officials of Tubod, Lanao del Norte, meanwhile, reported that a village has been wiped out by a flashflood.

"Hindi po katanggap-tanggap ang nangyari sa Zamboanga Peninsula at northern Mindanao sa kabila ng mga warning at mga makabagong teknolohiya," Binay said.

"Marami na pong mga programa ang pamahalaan tungkol sa DRRM na pwedeng magbigay ng advance warning. Pero nakakalungkot sa marami pa rin sa ating mga kababayan ang naapektuhan," she added.

Binay also called for a review of existing land use plans and geohazard maps to identify vulnerabilities and sensitivities, and minimize hazard exposures.

"Sa panahon ng climate change, dapat pong regular tayong nag-a-update ng ating lang use at geohazard maps. Dapat ay lagi tayong handa sa mga posibilidad at hindi maging kampante," Binay said.

"Dati rati ay hindi madalas na binibisita ng bagyo ang Mindanao, pero sa ngayon ay unti-unti na nating nakikita ang epekto ng nagbabagong klima, lalu na sa mga region sa Mindanao na sa ngayon dinadaanan na ng mga bagyo. Kung dati walang bagyo sa kanila, ngayon dahil sa climate change, dapat ay magkaroon ng adaptive capacities ang mga LGU," she added.

Binay also called on the NDRRMC and its regional councils to conduct more trainings to local disaster responders, as well as to members of the community.

"Kung dito sa Maynila ay regular ang earthquake drills, dapat ding nating gawing regular ang paghahanda para sa mga bagyo at epekto nito tulad ng flashfloods at landslides sa mga probinsya," Binay said.

"Ang mga training na ito ay dapat makarating sa mga households, at dapat nating iangat yung disaster awareness ng community at ng bawat pamilya, at iangat ang kanilang adaptive capacities. Ang unang rescuer ay ang ating mga sarili," she stressed.

According to Binay, local government units should seriously take into heart the importance of a comprehensive land use plan in keeping the barangays out of harm's way.

"Hindi po dapat tingnan ang land use plan bilang isang requirement lamang na dapat i-comply ng mga LGU. Bahagi po ito ng maayos na urban planning para mabigyan ng babala ang mga tao kung saan ang mga hazard zone at mga lugar na high risk. With technology already available, let's all work to save lives," she noted.

The senator added that she will push for the proposed National Land Use Act to be prioritized in the Senate in 2018.