The Negros Oriental provincial government has poured in hundreds of millions of pesos to scale up its disaster response and mitigation measures, an official said Wednesday.
Adrian Sedillo, who heads the Negros Oriental Local Disaster Risk-Reduction & Management Office, said in an interview the funds are allocated for equipment, transportation, training, and other programs and projects that could help lessen the impacts of disasters on humans and properties.
“Since Gov. Chaco Sagarbarria assumed office last year, the provincial government, through the Provincial Disaster Risk- Reduction & Management Council, was able to realign and re-program a substantial amount of money for this purpose,” Sedillo said.
“The more than P200 million [amount] was taken from unexpended balances of the DRRM fund over the years, after thorough discussion and collaboration with various offices for realignment,” he said.
Under this program, the Capitol acquired 30 mini patient transport vehicles (PTVs) amounting to P30 million, and nine other large PTVs that cost P27 million.
These PTVs form part of the provincial government’s efforts to institutionalize the Department of Health’s “DRRM for Health” program, Sedillo explained.
Additionally, the Province, through the LDRRMO, also procured water purifiers, established operation centers in the different provincial government hospitals, conducted several trainings, and built flood control projects and evacuation centers, among others.
Meanwhile, under the PDRRM regular budget for this year, the Province procured a Mobile Command Operations Center that can be deployed for quick response during emergencies and disasters.
The Mobile Center is equipped with communication equipment, a satellite link, backup solar power, a generator, Internet connectivity, and rescue equipment.
Sedillo also said the LDRRMO building is now partially powered by solar energy, with an initial cost of P3 million to further strengthen the Province’s efforts to enhance disaster response capabilities.
The solar power will ensure uninterrupted operations at the LDRRMO Command Center during brownouts and disasters.
Sedillo said the PTVs will be deployed to areas and/or hospitals that have an immediate need for this transport facility. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
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Photo Caption: Negros Oriental Gov. Chaco Sagarbarria inspects at the Capitol grounds on Monday the new Mobile Command Operations Center and the 39 patient transport vehicles costing around P200 million aimed to improve its disaster response measures. Beside him is Erwin Macias, deputy at the PDRRMC. (PIO photo)
