DepEd supports PIA Caraga’s mobile app
By Jolanie E. Bucad
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 8 (PIA) – In support to the new
platform that the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga region has
introduced to the public – the PIA Caraga Mobile App, the Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga
region has issued a directive to all schools division superintendents (SDS)
encouraging to adopt the said platform.
DepEd officer-in-charge Dr. Rebecca V. Delapuz
ordered all SDS in the region to encourage all teachers, staff, and even
students to download said mobile app of the PIA.
“The mobile app will provide us real-time access
to news, weather forecasts, and other relevant updates about the region,” Dr.
Delapuz said.
Delapuz also told her SDS that the mobile app will
also include tips that will help us informed on the information related to
disasters.
PIA’s mobile app is now downloadable in both
android and iOS phones, tablets, and ipads for free. (DepEd Butuan City
Division/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
SURGE calls for inclusiveness in DRR law sunset
review, OCD leads RA 10121 sunset review
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 8 - Scaling Up Resilience in Governance
(SURGE) reiterates anew the need for inclusiveness in all aspects of disaster
risk reduction (DRR). The call coincides with the ongoing sunset review or the
mandatory review of Republic Act 10121, otherwise known as the Disaster Risk
Reduction Management Act of 2010 after five years.
“Since 2010, typhoons and other natural disasters
have been a litmus test on the law’s relevance. This is especially so among the
poor and many others who have been rendered vulnerable. While there is a marked
improvement on preparedness among some local government units (LGUs), there are
still inconsistent and in some places, sub-standard results in addressing the
specific needs of the more marginalized groups such as women and girls,” Nina
Somera of Oxfam asserted. In an Oxfam post-typhoon Yolanda analysis, it appears
that as girls and boys have been forced to become adults, there have also been
more pregnancies.
Meanwhile, as typhoon Ruby passed through Caraga
and other parts of the Philippines, many people voluntarily headed to
designated evacuation centers. However, this highlighted another concern as the
capacity of some evacuation centers was not able to match an increase of the
population. Some also lacked appropriate water and sanitation facilities.
RA 10121 mandates LGUs to develop DRRM plans,
establish DRRM offices and tap DRRM funds. It also provides for the
coordinating mechanisms between and among LGUs, and science-based institutions.
However, the implementation of the law does not always address the specific
needs of sectors which most badly affected by disasters. Many evacuation
centres have limited water and sanitation services which are quite critical for
women and girls. Not early warning systems can be used by persons with
disabilities. The absence of a disaggregated data means that some cash for work
initiatives may be missing those most in need. Some DRR plans and budgets are
also not inclusive as marginalized individuals and communities were not
consulted.
“Communities in Caraga have benefitted from the
participatory vulnerabilities and capacities assessment (PCVA) tools and
methods, which identifies the sources of insecurities and resilience especially
of marginalized individuals and communities.
However these can only be effective when there is sufficient ownership
and support, including funds from LGUs and when initiatives are sustained over
a long-term period,” Esteban Masagca of the People’s Disaster Risk Reduction
Network (PDRRN) shared.
PCVA maps the vulnerabilities and capacities of
individuals and communities. It locates women, children, elderly, persons with
disabilities, indigenous peoples and other marginalized groups, with details
such as their occupation, educational attainment and the roles they typically
play. It is the basis of contingency plans and the broader development plans of
LGUs.
Together with the Peoples Disaster Risk Reduction
Network (PDRRN) and the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP), SURGE organized
a workshop from February 5-6, 2015, with the aim of identifying changes which
would advance the mainstreaming of inclusive community-based disaster risk
reduction (ICBDRR) within the law. The workshop was also a platform to
strengthen a civil society position for the upcoming 3rd World Conference on
Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) March 2015 in Sendai, Japan.
“A public consultation on RA10121 will not only
raise awareness on the rights of everyone to have the wherewithal to survive
and recover from disasters in the Philippines. It can also strengthen the
country’s position in influencing international DRR frameworks and actions. At
the same time, should the WCDRR proved to be substantive, then it can also
force the Philippine government to ensure inclusiveness in the implementation
of RA10121,” Malu Fellizar Cagay of CDP explained.
For her part, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga
regional director Liza Mazo shared SURGE’s call for inclusiveness during the
sunset review. “The sunset review is a chance to have all the voices, especially
those who bear the brunt of disasters. We commend SURGE and its partners for
reaching out to marginalised groups and extending the opportunities to
meaningful participation. This is one of the first steps in advancing ICBDRR
and influencing the law in the most positive way,” she said.
SURGE is a consortium composed of Christian Aid,
Handicap International, Oxfam and Plan International. It aims to build and increase the resilience
of high-risk communities by promoting inclusive community-based disaster risk
reduction (ICBDRR) practices and taking the learning to other communities in
the Philippines. SURGE also lobbies for improvements in disaster risk
management policies and practices by using evidence from experience. SURGE is
supported by the European Union humanitarian aid. (Oxfam/PDRRN/PIA-Caraga)
