PDRRMC cites points in disaster risk reduction law

SAN JOSE, Antique — The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) discussed the salient features of Republic Act 10121, “an Act strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System” during a meeting in Binirayan Hills here.
Under the new law, the Calamity Fund shall be known as the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF), Irma Villanueva of the Office of Civil Defense 6 said.
LDRRMF should not be less than five percent of the estimated revenue from regular sources of local government units (LGUs).
It can be set aside to support disaster risk management activities, which should not be limited to pre-disaster preparedness programs, she said.
Villanueva said 70 percent of the fund can be used for training, purchasing life-saving rescue equipment, supplies and medicines, for post disaster activities, for the payment of premiums on calamity insurance and construction of evacuation centers.
LGUs should have a 30-percent reserve fund for quick response in times of calamites, she said.
The reserve fund, she explained, can be used for relief and recovery programs so the condition of people affected by disasters, calamities, epidemics or complex emergencies may be normalized as quickly as possible.
But unexpended LDRRMF cannot be used for bonuses of employees by the end of the year, Villanueva clarified.
It shall accrue to a special trust fund solely for supporting disaster risk reduction and management activities of the council for the next five years, she said.
Any such amount still not fully used after five years shall revert back to the general fund and made available for other social services to be identified by the local Sanggunian, she added.
On the issue of its inclusion to the local Annual Invest Program (AIP) for CY 2011, since the budget were already approved, the Provincial Planning and Development Office suggested to pass a supplemental AIP to include the programs of LDRRMC.
Municipal representatives, mostly deputized Civil Defense Officers, and Sebaste Mayor Juanita dela Cruz expressed their support to the new law, which they hope will provide more autonomy to the LGUs.
Broderick Train, PDRRMC executive officer, also discussed the structure of the council both at the provincial and municipal levels. (PSM/PIA/PN)