When the calendar finally reaches its third quarter, it signals more than just a simple checklist that the first half of the year has completely passed.
For every local government, it means an aggressive shift in their system that prioritizes stronger initiatives and intensified efforts in the face of looming threats.
San Pedro City, Laguna could not be more familiar with such a scenario where certain communities have absolutely experienced throughout the years the worsening impact of climate related disasters.
According to City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) Head Nico Pavino, several factors like the rapid speed of climate change and the environmental effect of urbanization have played a pivotal role in the current state of the city.
“Minsan po sobrang init, minsan naman po ay malakas ang ulan. Hindi na kagaya dati, mas unpredictable na po ngayon ang weather,” Pavino explained to OpinYon Laguna.
“Mas madalas natin mapansin ang pagbaha sa mga urban areas dahil yung mga waterways natin ay maaaring hindi na angkop sa ating kasalukuyang estado. Mas mataas na ang populasyon, madaming developments, madami na ding basura.”
A severe storm would often render these coastal barangays inhabitable for months due to Laguna Lake overflowing its waters to nearby residential areas.
But Pavino also recognized that this would only intensify in the years to come, making it necessary to adjust and adapt.
Spearheaded by CDRRMO, solutions meant to address these recurring problems are regularly implemented in heavily affected barangays and across the city.
“Mas madalas na clearing sa mga waterways, pag coconduct ng mga surveys and studies hanggang mabuo natin ang Flood Management Masterplan.Mas pinapalakas ang ating mga early warning systems gamit ang bagong teknolohiya. Community engagement upang mabigyan sila ng kaalaman at mas mapalakas ang kanilang kahandaan,” the official added.
The Flood Management Masterplan is the ideal response backed by data and science to mitigate these floodings as it provides a better structural measure in this newfound reality.
As part of this year’s National Resilience Month observance, the city has lined up a series of activities aimed at promoting disaster preparedness among various sectors of the community.
These include Basic Life Support and First Aid orientations, CPR training for teachers and students, disaster preparedness seminars for homeowners’ associations (HOA), disaster volunteers, persons with disabilities (PWD), women, solo parents and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as Emergency Response Team training for city government personnel.
Other major highlights include the DRRM Photography Contest themed “City of San Pedro: Capturing Safety Through Images,” the fifth Barangay Rescue Challenge, and the fifth Bawat DRRM Barangay program, all of which aim to foster a stronger culture of resilience and preparedness among San Pedrenses.
Coinciding with the rainy season is also the opening of the new school year for students.
Unfortunately, not long after welcoming this fresh beginning, schools in the Philippines were confronted with a horrifying reality: what should be a place of learning is no longer safe from life-threatening dangers.
Discussions about school violence prevention were soon thrust into the spotlight begging for a clear answer from public officials and authorities.
As far as San Pedro City is concerned, the City Council has already initiated various meetings to handle the dire concern.
The CDRRMO, along with the Local School Board and Peace and Order Council, assures everyone that the matter is being taken up seriously by the local government.
“Nagpalakas na po ng security sa mga paaralan, may mga police and Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) visibility sa mga paaralan. Mga karagdagang security supplies sa mga paaralan. Mas malakas na coordination ng mga barangay at mga eskwelahan. Mga capacity developments at interactions sa mga guro at estudyante patungkol sa mental health at bullying,” Pavino added.
(Photo courtesy of the San Pedro City Public Affairs and Information Office)
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