The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) concluded National Disaster Resilience Month with a culminating activity today, July 31, 2024, at the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center.
PDRRMO delegates and officers from all over Nueva Vizcaya attended the event, as well as representatives from the Philippine National Police, Army Reserve Command, Provincial Police Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Red Cross, Sangguniang Kabataan, Independent Kabalikan Civicom Incorporated, etc.
In his welcome message, Acting PDRRMO Chief Sir King Webster Balaw-ing spoke of the need for disaster resilience to protect the provincial government’s investments toward development and the responsibility of all levels of government not to create or exacerbate existing risks, and to contribute to the reduction of risk. Chief Balaw-ing states that the true measure of what we do is down to our casualties, or lack thereof; that is where we may measure the true impact of our investments toward resilience. Sir Flodemonte S. German as the representative for Governor Attorney Jose ‘Jing’ V. Gambito reiterated the governor’s support for the activities and efforts of the PDRRMO, as well as affirmed the positive change within the provincial response to calamity and the sacrifice of the officers and responders.
The event also included an address by Sir Meynard Abram, along with a lecture by Sir Alvin Garcia, both representing the regional director of DILG. Mr. Abram discussed the country’s geographical disposition to natural disaster, the Filipino spirit for resilience, and the vitality of local government units in strengthening the coping and adaptive capacities of their communities, thanking them for their partnership with the DILG. Mr. Garcia discussed the new provision of disaster preparedness manuals to all DRRMOs, the region’s status in the risk index, and a memorandum on the response and mitigation of the rainy season, or La Nina.
The activity was capped off by varied financial awards and certificates to the different MDRRMOs, based on their performance and reportage for 2023 and the first half of 2024. In the final message of the day, Sir Gerry Daran thanked Chief Balaw-ing and everyone in attendance, emphasizing that their continued presence and unity guarantee the effectiveness of disaster risk reduction.
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