Paranaque strengthens disaster council

In line with R.A. 10121, also known as the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010”, the Parañaque City Government under the leadership of Mayor Florencio Bernabe, Jr. ordered the creation of the Parañaque (Local) Risk Reduction & Management Office (PDRRMC) and a Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Committee (BRRMC) in every barangay in the city.
 
    The former assumes the functions of the defunct Parañaque Disaster Coordinating Council while the latter takes over the responsibilities of BDCCs which automatically ceased to exist as the said law took effect. The new and revitalized councils are guided by a new framework that espouses risk mitigation, preparedness, search and rescue and recovery.
 
     PDRRMC is chaired by the Mayor Jun Bernabe. Its various committees are composed of city government department heads, Parañaque DILG Director, Chief of Police, Fire Marshal, BJMP Warden, DepEd P’que Div. Superintendent, representative(s) from the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Liga ng mga Barangay, Parañaque Red Cross (Rizal Chapter), private sector, the business community, Phil. Coast Guard, DENR, MMDA and the Phil. Army (AFP) contingent (303rd RR Bn) doing civic work in the city.
 
     During the PDRRMC meeting on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 the body agreed to present a proposition to the Sangguniang Panlungsod towards the enactment of an ordinance creating the Parañaque Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office. When formed, the said office will implement the programs of the PDRRMC.
 
    The PDRRMC members assembled also considered the following: 1) Conduct of training on disaster risk reduction and management for PDRRMC and BRRMCs by the Phil. Red Cross; 2)Synchronization of efforts with BFP, PNP, DepEd and LGU in emergency drills; 3) Production and distribution of information materials on disaster preparedness by the Public Information Office; 4) Revision of existing risk mitigation plans and programs and their integration by the Planning Office in the City Development Plan; 5) Assessment of structural integrity of old edifices by the Office of the Building Official and related safety inspections by the Bu. of Fire Protection.
  
     “No one knows for sure when disaster will strike. It is therefore imperative that systems and mechanisms for risk reduction and disaster response and management are put in place before calamities occur. It is on this rationale that I formed the Parañaque Disaster Coordinating Council early on my first term of office in 2004. Keeping abreast with the changing trends and methodologies in risk mitigation, calamity control and rehabilitation, we have revitalized the PDRRMC.”, Mayor Bernabe said.