KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO — Members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) convened to deliberate on the proposed ₱221.6-million Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund-Investment Program (LDRRMF-IP) for 2027, which will be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for adoption and approval.
PDRRMC reviewed the proposed allocation and identified priority disaster risk reduction and management interventions for the province.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Rolly Doane C. Aquino presented the proposed ₱221,600,000.00 LDRRMF-IP, emphasizing that the funds will support programs and activities under the four thematic areas of disaster risk reduction and management.
Under Prevention and Mitigation, the proposed investments include the construction of flood control dikes, hazard mapping, and engineering risk assessments aimed at reducing communities’ exposure and vulnerability to hazards.
The Preparedness component, meanwhile, will focus on the acquisition of life-saving rescue equipment, conduct of community-based training, and establishment and enhancement of early warning systems to strengthen the province’s capacity to anticipate and respond to emergencies.
For Disaster Response, the proposed budget will support relief goods distribution, search and rescue operations, and other immediate response interventions during disasters and emergencies.
On the other hand, the Rehabilitation and Recovery component will provide support for infrastructure reconstruction, development of resilient resettlement areas, and psychosocial interventions for affected communities.
Aquino said the proposed investment program is designed not only to strengthen the province’s response capability but also to place greater emphasis on preparedness as a key measure in reducing disaster impacts.
“We give more emphasis to preparedness, particularly on training our responders and communities. This includes the necessary support for training activities such as accommodation and food, because preparedness is one of the important measures that we can strengthen before a disaster happens,” Aquino said.
He emphasized that investing in preparedness allows communities and response teams to become more capable of dealing with disasters and emergencies.
“We must be prepared for whatever disaster may come. The objective is to strengthen our capacity before, during, and after disasters so that we can minimize the impact on our communities,” Aquino added.
The proposed ₱221.6 million LDRRMF-IP will undergo the necessary approval process through a council resolution before it is formally submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for adoption and approval.
The proposed investment program reflects the Provincial Government of South Cotabato’s continuing efforts to strengthen disaster resilience, improve emergency preparedness, and ensure that resources are strategically allocated to protect lives, property, and communities from the impacts of disasters.
