Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management.docx

Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management 1.

The utilization of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) totaling ₱12,661,352.04 was not effectively monitored and evaluated due to imcomplete Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (LDRRMP), hence efficiency on the use of fund and responsiveness of the reported accomplishments were not established. Moreover, support services to risk management was not adequately provided for failure to (a) fill up the approved positions for the DRRM Office and (b) create the Emergency Response Team (ERT), while monitoring of the balance of the LDRRMF was not facilitated due to the non-maintenance of separate budget register therefor, contrary to rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 10121. Finally, the creation of Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC) was not duly sanctioned by the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) contrary to existing rules and regulations. Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine DRRM Act of 2010 was enacted into law to pave the way for the need to adopt a disaster risk reduction and management approach that is holistic, comprehensive, integrated and proactive in lessening the socio-economic and environmental impacts of disasters at all levels, especially the local community. Based on the foregoing, the law and its implementing rules and regulations expressly states that it is incumbent to all LGUs to comply with the basic requirements and standards set forth by this law, to wit: Category Structure Systems and Policies

Plans

Data Requirement Trainings Equipage Service Delivery

Brief description Refer to the overseeing and implementing organization for DRRM at level as stipulated in R.A. 10121 Processes and procedures and guiding principles that need to be in place to ensure the effective implementation of the DRRM activities of the LGUs Course of actions and proposed strategies for Local DRRM Programs, adopted through Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), Panlunsod or Bayan (SB) Ordinance or Resolution. Facts, information and figurers needed to effectively plan and implement DRRM Initiatives at the local level Educational and instructional requirement to efficiently and effectively manage and execute DRRM projects and activities Equipment, tools and paraphernalia requirements to adequately prepare when hazards strike Stocks, services and support that should be in place for effective disaster response and recovery

The significance and relevance of the above law had never been more felt by the Municipality until the occurrence of floods repeatedly that struck some areas in Laur since 2016 which unceasingly left devastating effects on the livelihood of the people. Unluckily, said adversity was also confirmed by the recent MGB Geohazard Assessment of the barangays in the municipalities/cities in the province of Nueva Ecija conducted by Mines and Geosciences Bureau – Regional Office III (MGB-R3) which states that in Municipality of Laur:

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There is one (1) barangay with moderate landslide susceptibility (Bayug) There are four (4) barangays with low landslide susceptibility (Bacao, Burac, Pantoc and San Fernando). There are twelve (12) barangays with low flood susceptibility (Poblacion I, II, III, San Felipe, San Juan. Paludpod, Pintol, Bacao, Pantoc, Bayug, San Isidro and San Fernando). There is one (1) barangay with moderate flood susceptibility (Pinagbayanan) There are nine (9) barangays with low to moderate flood susceptibility (Poblacion IV, Siclong, San Vicente, Canantong, San Josef, Sagana, Labi, Casa Real and Burac). There are five (5) barangays and one (1) sitio with portions susceptible to high level floods. These barangays are located near active creeks and Coronel River and with portions that are located in generally low-lying areas. (Pacarso, Kamuning, Panaulo, Betania, San Antonio and Sitio Pangarulong) There are two (2) barangays and one (1) sitio with portions prone to liquefaction (Panaulo, Betania and Sitio Pangarulong)

In addition, the same assessment report also tackles the vulnerability of the Municipality’s population to disaster stating that of 3,125 from 34,865 total population or 8.93% of the total population are considered at high risk to disaster. Number of Barangay

Population

No. of Households

Population at High Risk

Percentage

17

34,865

5,814

3,125

8.93%

Put all things in concern, a review of the LGU’s compliance with the foregoing requirements and considerations disclosed the following:

We take cognizance that the Local Government of Laur has made efforts both at municipal and barangay levels aimed at improving disaster risk reduction and management from the beginning. This has mainly been through building the capacity of local governments to ensure that the basic requirements and standards set by law are addressed upon. However, despite these interventions, challenges still persist, thus, assessment and verification on the agency’s compliance to basic requirements and standards for disaster risk reduction and management approach were made by the team. It follows that: Category Structure Systems and Policies Plans Data Requirement Trainings Equipage Service Delivery Total

Number of Items

Number of Item Complied

Percentage

Current disbursements still go with short-lived programs and activities For CY 2018, the Municipality set aside an appropriation of not less than 5% of the estimated revenue from regular sources, through the Municipal Appropriation Ordinance No. 2018-01, authorizing the approval of the programs, projects and activities of the Municipality pertaining to the disaster preparedness/prevention for CY 2018, in the amount of ₱6,797,897.95. This, together with the continuing appropriations of ₱ 5,856,062.20 were utilized as follows: Amount

Particulars

Available

Current Year Appropriation Quick Response Fund (QRF)

Utilized

Balance

₱ 2,039,369.38

-

₱2,039,369.38

2,515,228.57

419,432.00

2,095,796.57

2,243,300.00 6,797,897.95

880,000.00 1,299,432.00

1,363,300.00 5,498,465.95

189,919.50 22,053.81 69,997.75 9,625.15 2,521,072.85 3,043,393.14 5,856,062.20 ₱12,653,960.15

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189,919.50 22,053.81 69,997.75 9,625.15 2,521,072.85 3,043,393.14 5,856,062.20 ₱11,354,528.15

Mitigation Fund (MF) MOOE Capital Outlay Total Continuing Appropriation: Special Trust Fund CY 2012 CY 2013 CY 2014 CY 2015 CY 2016 CY 2017 Total Grand Total

₱ 1,299,432.00

Inasmuch as there was no declaration of state of calamity during CY 2018, the Quick Response Fund remained unused as at year end. As to the Mitigating Fund the Management only used ₱1,299,432.00 equivalent to only 10.26 % of the allowable appropriations amounting to ₱12,653,960.15 leaving an unused balance of ₱ 11,354,528.15 at year end. The amount utilized of the total appropriations for MF was for the following expenditures: Date

Particulars

Amount ₱ 9,800.00

March 2018

Meals and Snacks

July 2018

Purchase of 50 Cavans of NFA Rice

80,000.00

September 2018

Labor for rehabilitation/cleaning and declogging of canals at Poblacion

50,000.00

September 2018

Labor for trimming of trees

50,000.00

September 2018

Purchase of Relief Goods

33,972.00

September 2018

Purchase of 50 Cavans of NFA Rice

80,000.00

September 2018

Reimbursement of sacks and strings

2,450.00

September 2018

Meals and Snacks - Typhoon

3,750.00

September 2018

Meals and Snacks - Typhoon

26,600.00

October 2018

Purchase of Relief Goods

43,700.00

November 2018

Diesel consumption for typhoon preparedness

December 2018 Total

Purchase of Generator Set

39,160.00 880,000.00 ₱ 1,299,432.00

The above disbursements were narrated in a report that, however, contains no reference to the corresponding objective as provided in the LDRRMF Investment Plan for CY 2018 in terms of: a. Apparent need of the community b. Targeted quantitative and qualitative program, project and activity, c. Schedule of implementation d. Expected completion of the activity and; e. Budgeted costs As such, evaluation of the responsiveness of the said activities with the needs being addressed as well as the efficiency of fund utilization could not be at least approximated. The disbursements are mostly short-lived or piecemeal programs and activities with regrettably substantial funding as can be gleaned above, thus, depriving the public of advantages of projects with long-term benefits which address their actual and apparent needs as intended by Philippine DRRM Law. Notably, the budget for capital outlay amounting to ₱880,000.00 was used to purchase a generator, which was reportedly for disaster preparedness and in times of calamity. However, the same have not yet been delivered as of this writing. In an interview, the poor performance and utilization of the management as well as the low level of compliance were due to absence of competent personnel, who will facilitate and focus on the duties and responsibilities for implementation, operation and management of the Municipal disaster risk and management related programs, projects and activities. Hence, deficiencies pertaining to the implementation and compliance with the existing rules and regulations on risk reduction and management turned apparent and simply cannot be disclaimed. Lapses were due to failure to fill up mandatory positions for MDRRM office The Local DRRM is at the forefront of disaster management as they take in the challenge of enhancing the resilience of their respective communities where disaster incidents take place. Thus, RA 10121 mandates the establishment of LDRRMOs in provinces, cities, and municipalities. Said offices are mandated by law to have a DRRM Officer, and three staff for (a) administration and training, (b) research and planning, and (c) operations and warning. On that account, the Municipality of Laur adopted a scheme for their MDRRM Office Orginazational Structure, as presented below: Chairperson (Municipal Mayor)

Early Warning SErvice (Barangay)

Damage Assessment and Need Analysis (MAO)

MDDRM Officer

Administrative and Training

Reserach and Planning

Operation and Warning

Rescue and Evacuation Services (MSWDO)

Relief and REhabilitation Service (MSWDO/MEO)

Medical and Health Service (MHO)

Security and Police (PNP)

Camp Management Service (DepEd)

However, inquiry and verification on the matter disclosed that the position for the MDRRM Officer was not yet filled up. As it was, the management only designated the Municipal Engineer for that purpose without regard to the fact that the Engineer was also appointed as the BAC Chairman. Likewise, the positions under the staffing pattern of the MDRRM Office that are responsible for the administration and training, research and planning, and operations and warning, respectively, were also not filled up. Thus, the implementation, operation and management of programs, projects and activities for DRRM suffered adverse effects. Management commented that the mandatory positions remained vacant because there are difficulties in looking for aspiring and/or qualified applicants for the positions despite advertisement of the said vacancies, due to the requirements/standards set up by the law. On a positive note, the Audit Team recognizes the sincere efforts of the officials in addressing the disaster risk reduction and management issues and in complying with the requirements and standards set forth by law. Such include as the availability of necessary equipment/facilities and the conduct of the following activities: a. Evacuation System 1. Regular conduct of drills 2. Evacuation map 3. LGU Ordinance on pre-emptive/force evacuation b. Communication System 1. System managed by a designated Public Information Officer (PIO) 2. Implementation of Internal Communications Protocols 3. Emergency telecommunications services – Base radio/Equipment c. Relief Management 1. Warehouse location is a low risk area 2. Minimum required volume of stockpile 3. Guidelines on distribution of goods per tagging d. Equipage 1. Generator set 2. Flashlights with batteries 3. Megaphone/ Siren 4. 2 way radio 5. Water rescue kit 6. Extrication kit 7. Personal protective equipment 8. First aid kit/Emergency medical kit

6.1.

We recommended and the Management agreed that the Local Chief Executive direct the: (a) official concerned in charge of the preparation of LDRRM accomplishment report to indicate therein the corresponding targeted quantitative and qualitative program, project and activity, date of actual implementation, and the actual costs

incurred to facilitate determination of efficiency in program implementation and effectiveness of the projects accomplished; (b) Human Resources and Management Officer to (i) prioritize the placement of a fulltime MDDRM Officer who will focus on core functions of the MDRRMO and the hiring of the three mandatory staff personnel to handle the administration, training, research and planning, and operations and warning, to provide adequate support to DRRM activities; and (ii) provide necessary interventions to equip personnel of the required competencies necessary to man and run the ERT and, henceforth, constitute the ERT; and (c) Municipal Budget Officer to maintain separate Registry of Appropriations, Allotments and Obligations (RAAO) for LDRRMF to facilitate monitoring of fund utilization.