“Napakalaking tulong po sa ating lungsod ang matibay na ugnayan natin sa national government agencies, lalo na sa panahon ng kalamidad,” was how Nico Pavino, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) of San Pedro, Laguna, described the strong relationship between the local government and national government agencies.
And to further enhance this strong spirit of cooperation and mutual assistance, San Pedro City Mayor Art Mercado recently forged partnerships with national government agencies in charge of disaster response and relief efforts.
Last September 14, Mercado himself presided over the Disaster Response and Early Recovery Meeting of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council – Calabarzon at the San Pedro CDRRMO Command Center in Barangay Poblacion.
During the meeting, local and regional disaster response officials discussed strategies on strengthening local efforts for faster response to calamities, borne out of the city’s own experiences during past typhoons and weather disturbances.
“Dahil sa matibay na ugnayan ng San Pedro LGU sa iba’t-ibang national government agencies ay mas mabilis tayong nakaka aksyon sa mga insidente sa ating siyudad at agaran nating naibibigay ang mga pangangailangan ng mga pamilya at indibidwal na apektado ng isang kalamidad,” Pavino told OpinYon Laguna in a message.
These strong partnerships, the CDRRMO head added, not only contributed to the “zero casualty” rate in San Pedro during typhoon “Enteng” last August but also ensured that evacuees received assistance.
“Hindi tayo nangangambang maubusan o magtagal ang pagbibigay ng mga basic needs para sa ating mga kababayan. Dahil dito ay mas mabilis nating maiibsan ang agaran nilang pangangailangan at maka recover sa nangyaring sakuna,” he elaborated.
MOA with DSWD
That same day, Mercado also signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Region IVA office, which will facilitate the prepositioning of Family Food Packs in San Pedro City.
“Sa pamamagitan po ng nilagdaang MOA sa pagitan ng San Pedro LGU at DSWD CALABARZON ay sigurado tayong may naka-stockpile at nakahandang mga Family Food Packs sa ating lungsod bukod pa sa stockpile food packs at hygiene kits ng ating siyudad,” Pavino explained.
“Agaran nitong ma aaddress ang immediate basic needs ng mga apektadong pamilya ng isang sakuna. Malaking tulong ito lalo na sa malakihang disaster na kung saan ay may malaking populasyon ang apektado,” he added.
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