By LITO RULONA
Correspondent .
THE Commission on Audit finds the current location of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Department (CDRRMD) to be at risk for flooding even as it called city hall out for its supposed lack of program or activities in conducting drills.
In its Annual Audit Report, the COA-10 observed that the CDRRMD operation center located below the city tourism hall is flood-prone.
Supervising auditor Carolina Diez pointed out that during 2017 tropical storm “Vinta,” floodwaters from Cagayan River inundated the entire back portions of the city hall compound, nearly reaching offices and the operation center of the CDRRMD.
Diez said that with a budget for disaster preparedness program of P81.1 million from the general fund and P30.1 million from the trust fund, city hall failed to show a program or activity involving and related to drills.
But city accountant Beda Joy Elot said the plan to relocate the CDRRMD operation center is already in the pipeline.
She also said the CDRRMD has not been remiss in conducting emergency drills.
“We see them as areas for improvement on the quality and standard of public service. With regard to the conduct of regular drills, management is cognizant of this need in order to prepare not just its personnel but all of the constituents of Cagayan de Oro from any eventualities and possible disasters,” she said of COA’s findings.
She said auditors may not have noticed but CDRRMD has been conducting drills at schools, establishments and even in the barangays.
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
