The Ateneo de Naga University – Center for Local Governance successfully conducted two batches of Orientation Seminar on the Implementation of RA 10121 also known as Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 and on RA 9729 also known as Climate Change Act of 2009. The seminar entitled “What You Need to Know About PDRRM Laws” was held on 27-28 April 2017 and on 18-19 May 2017 at Bro. Richard Michael Fernando, S.J. Hall, Ateneo de Naga University.

The first batch of the seminar was attended by eighty-nine (89) participants composed of Barangay Officials coming from the municipalities of 1st and 2nd Districts of Camarines Sur while the second batch was attended by sixty-nine (69) participants with the same composition coming from the municipalities of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Districts of Camarines Sur.

The participants were oriented about the provisions and highlights of the said laws and its applicability in their respective localities through the help of the invited Resource Persons: Engr, Joel SJ. Talay, Part-Time Faculty member of the Ateneo de Naga University-College of Engineering and Project Development Officer of Environment, Disaster Management, and Emergency Response Office (EDMERO) of the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, assisted the participants in assessing their Local Government Units’ capacities in relation to Disaster Preparedness. He also had a discussion of the highlights of Climate Change Act of 2009 afterwards. On the other hand, Atty. Angel R. Ojastro III, Secretary General of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council of the Philippines, discussed and helped the participants in interpreting the important provisions of the PDRRM Act of 2010. He also provided the participants inputs of what his office can do to assist them in relation to rebuilding their homes after a disaster strikes. He even gave assurance that whatever issues and concerns expressed by the participants will be brought to the attention of the national government.

After the presentations, the participants showed their eagerness to learn by raising questions in relation to applications of the laws in their respective localities which were responded accordingly by the Resource Persons.

The activity aimed to: (1) explain to local leaders the provisions of PDRRM Act of 2010 and Climate Change Act of 2009; (2) determine the implementation of DRRM in the barangay level; and (3) help local leaders to determine better their position regarding their preparation to disaster and compliance with these laws.

This activity is in response of the Ateneo de Naga University – Center for Local Governance being affiliated with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Local Government Academy (LGA) to the Operation Listo: A Disaster Preparedness Program of the national government which seeks to encourage stakeholders to share their part towards achieving more resilient Filipino communities.

by Jay P. Abawag