Guv urges mayors to keep DRRM execs

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III is asking newly-elected officials in the province to refrain from replacing their local disaster officers so as not to affect operations and programs that are already in place.

Davide, in an interview, expressed his hopes for newly-elected mayors not to replace their current disaster officers in order to achieve continuity in the programs by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

The PDRRMO has identified six local government units that may possibly change their DOs.  These LGUs are Barili, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Bantayan Island, Alcoy and Argao.

Davide said that he doesn't know the reasons for the possible replacement of the DOs but hopes the mayors would reconsider such decision.

"I don't know unsay reason sa pagpahawa but I hope that the new administration will consider kining umaabot nga La Niña and I hope aduna pud silay suitable replacement aron magpadayon ang program nato sa PDRRMO. We have to be prepared for any eventuality," Davide said.

Leah Escarlan, municipal DRRM officer of Sta. Fe town in Bantayan Island, said that there is no such replacement in their municipality since she already holds a permanent position.

"I don't think there's a replacement. Otherwise, Mayor Jose Esgana would've told me," she said.

Further, at least 13 towns and cities in Cebu would be placed under La Niña watch with the expected onset of the rainy season next month.

Those on the list are the cities of Carcar and Talisay; the southern towns of Argao, Sibonga, Ronda, Dumanjug, Alegria, Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian, Malabuyoc; the northern town of Daanbantayan; and Balamban in Midwest Cebu.

The Office of the Civil Defense and the PDRRMO also warns all LGUs to start preparing for the La Niña phenomenon by doing precautionary measures and formulate strategic approaches to reduce vulnerabilities and risks to floods and landslides. — (FREEMAN)