By Mar Supnad
FROM nine pilot localities, only Bataan managed to formulate, complete and submit its comprehensive resiliency plan seen to alleviate difficulties under extreme conditions.
At the online conference keynoted by United Nations (UN) Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) top executives on October 30, Bataan province, represented by its Governor Abet S. Garcia presented to the National Resiliency Council (NRC) Colloquium their strategies and best practices, embarking on a system aptly referred to as “Pathways and Milestones in Building Local Resilience” program.
“Nakasama ko po sa naturang pagtitipon ang ating Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head, Josefina Timoteo. Naroon din po ang mga alkalde at bumubuo ng Resilience Council ng mga Lungsod ng Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Iriga, Muntinlupa, Naga, Ormoc, at Zamboanga,” said Governor Garcia in his report to local folks.
Garcia cited the province’s preparedness under extreme conditions as an essential element behind the recognition. Equally significant, he added, is the unity of all sectors and agencies from national down to local and barangay level.
He also cited government and private media conduits for the prompt and comprehensive dissemination of information required, especially during crisis – and that includes the pandemic.
“Ilan sa mga binanggit nating hakbang ay ang paglalaan ng pondo, pagpapatupad ng mga polisiya, at pagkakaisa ng iba’t-ibang sektor at ahensya upang maging mas matatag laban sa mga sakuna at patuloy ang pagsulong ng ating Lalawigan,” pointed out the governor.
Owing to this, Gov. Garcia proudly reported that “tayo ang nag-iisang Probinsya na nakatapos ng ‘PREPARE’ Scorecard at nagsisimula na po tayo sa ADAPT Phase ng proseso upang maisakatuparan ang ating pagnanais na maiangat ang buhay ng bawat Bataeño.”
“The 1Bataan Seal of Healthy Barangay that we gradually made 1Bataan Seal of COVID-free Barangay, Resilient SMEs and Cooperatives and PESO Call Center are among the programs in our province to address the pandemic we all are facing.”
“Patuloy ko pong hinihingi ang inyong pakikiisa sa mga programang gaya nito, kasabay ng pagsunod sa mga alituntuning pangkaligtasan ng pamahalaan lalo na sa panahong ito ng pandemya,” the governor added.