The DILG-National Capital Region conducted the Executive Briefing for National Capital Region Local Chief Executives and Administrators on the Implementation of Operations L!STO at the Novotel Manila, Araneta City last April 23, 2024. Spearheading the collaboration was the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as represented by Undersecretary for Local Government Marlo L. Iringan, CESO III, DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes, L. Agustin, CESO III, and Assistant Regional Director Atty. Ana Lyn R. Baltazar-Cortez, CESO IV. The executive briefing included resource speakers from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Office of Civil Defense-National Capital Region (OCD-NCR), Department of Science and Technology-National Capital Region (DOST-NCR), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Local Government Academy (LGA).
In his keynote message, Undersecretary for Local Government Marlo L. Iringan, CESO III expressed his gratitude to all the partners who joined the activity, and gave a brief background of previous endeavors leading up to the executive briefing, which included the Local Government Academyâs training of trainers for Operation L!STO back in September 2023, and the recently-conducted rollout of the Operation L!STO with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers and other local functionaries from the National Capital Region held last April 3-5, 2024. Giving highlights on preparations for high risk areas of Metro Manila was Undersecretary Procopio G. Lipana, General Manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), who specifically discussed how the mandates of the the MMDA in (1) Development Planning, (2) Traffic and Transport Management, (3) Solid Waste Disposal and Management, (4) Flood Control and Sewerage, (5) Urban Renewal, Zoning and Land Use Planning and Shelter Services, (6) Health and Sanitation, Urban Protection and Pollution Control, and (7) Public Safety has allowed them to reinforce stronger policies in creating metrowide programs and projects in Metro Manila.
Office of Civil Defense-National Capital Region (OCD-NCR) Director George F. Keyser then proceeded to discuss the Gawad Kalasag National Result for 2023 and highlighted notable observations which include 675 local government units having concerns on compliance with the mandatory provisions of Republic Act 10121, as well as other difficulties in programming and budgeting for the Local DRRM fund, as encountered by 845 local government units. He mentioned that the OCD is committed to create more capacity building initiatives that would help all these LGUs in having their issues addressed as soon as possible.
DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III then presented the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Regional Assessment under the Disaster Preparedness governance area, in which she pointed out how challenges in the personnel complement limitations as well as varying procedures in the Bids and Awards Committee have greatly affected the utilization and accomplishment of DRRM plans. The said concerns have been raised to the SGLG Team in the Central Office and will be tackled further in dialogues for the next roll out. Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division (LGMED) Chief Raymond Gerard E. de Asis then articulated the continuous upgrading of indicators which will help guide the local government units in increasing their capacities and improving their performance in being disaster resilient and climate adaptive.
Resource speakers Engr. Romelen T. Tresvalles, Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-NCR) discussed the Local Technologies and Knowledge Products for Disaster Management which included the Mobile Command and Control Vehicle and Triage Technology (MOCCOV), the Emergency Disinfection System of Drinking Water (SAFEWATRS), the Bioreactor and Dual Drum Composting Technologies, the Emergency Food Technologies, the Universal Structural Health Evaluation and Recording (USHER), and the GeoRISKPH, in which all details on the said technologies were thoroughly discussed during the activity. FCSupt Nahum B. Tarroza, Regional Director of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-NCR) then explained how the installation of standpipes and firehose cabinets in congested communities can aid in faster response during emergencies. Local Government Academy Operations Officer John Kien D. Develos then featured the disaster prepared manuals and highlighted points for consideration in the succeeding crafting of future versions of the handbook.
In closing, DILG-NCR Assistant Regional Director Atty. Ana Lyn R. Baltazar-Cortez, CESO IV, presented the upcoming disaster resilience efforts of the DILG-NCR, which includes the iDRRM System that will act as a comprehensive monitoring platform that evaluates the preparedness level and actions undertaken by the local government units in the National Capital Region, which includes plans, advocacies, training, investments, and other simulation activities under disaster preparedness.
The DILG-NCR through its constant commitment of collaboration with partner-stakeholders aims to provide a results-driven and solutions-based approach in informing LGUs on disaster preparedness actions, protocols and initiatives for early preparedness, response, and monitoring.