"THE mayor wants community leaders to work on making their communities stronger and ready for disasters instead of just relying on equipment."
These were the statements made by Shiela Lumbatan, who works closely with Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy and the City Mayor's Office chief of staff.
Even in his every Friday radio program, Lumbatan said the mayor talked about how important it is for communities to be ready for disasters.
He spoke about this while discussing a program called the Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangay (SGLGB). This program gives praise to communities that perform well in various areas.
Mayor Uy, according to Lumbatan, pointed to recent floods in certain areas as a reminder that community leaders need to help their communities be prepared for disasters.
He also asked local leaders and city hall managers to undergo disaster management training as part of the SGLGB program.
According to Lumbatan, Mayor Uy believes that being prepared and having the right mindset to deal with disasters is crucial for the safety and well-being of the people.
The mayor stated that while equipment is important for managing disasters, it is even more crucial to build strong communities that can recover from them.
Mayor Uy, as stated by Lumbatan, suggested investing in early warning systems, conducting regular training for community members, and promoting a culture of preparedness for disasters.
He also emphasized the importance of learning life-saving skills like first aid and knowing how to evacuate during a disaster.
Lumbatan further shared that Mayor Uy believes in having a long-term plan for disaster management.
He believes that disasters should not be seen as isolated events, but rather communities should have strategies in place to mitigate their impact over time.
This may include land-use planning, improving buildings, and taking measures to combat the effects of climate change.
Meanwhile, Nic Jabagat, in charge of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Department (CDRRMD), stated that the recent floods were caused by small thunderstorms, not major weather events.
He mentioned that communities susceptible to floods and landslides need to understand and prepare for such disasters.
Lumbatan also mentioned that under Mayor Uy's leadership, the city has assisted local communities in various ways.
They have provided training, distributed rescue vehicles equipped with radios, and initiated the construction of a CDRRMD command center.
However, both Mayor Uy and Jabagat want community leaders to prioritize making their communities resilient and prepared for disasters as part of a long-term plan, rather than solely focusing on acquiring equipment.
