Legarda on improving DRR legislation: Strengthen multi-hazard early warning systems

Senator Loren Legarda said that strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) is one area where legislation for disaster risk reduction (DRR) can be improved.

Ms. Legarda, who was a panelist for the Parliamentary Meeting on Governance and Legislation for DRR organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), said that legislation for MHEWS will make a difference in reducing disaster risks and building the resilience of nations and communities.

“We need to effectively reduce disaster risk as it becomes more complex given the increasing frequency, intensity and uncertainty of extreme hazard events. A more holistic and integrated approach to early warning is needed. This approach entails the provision of impact-based forecasts and risk-informed warnings through multi-hazard early warning systems,” she said.

The senator, who is also a UNISDR Champion, explained that multi-hazard early warning systems inform the people of the potential impacts of impending natural hazards, the risks on their lives and livelihoods, and the action they should take.

“This approach promotes public awareness and understanding of impacts and risks from natural hazards, and guides the people and sectors at risk in making decisions and taking early actions. Legislation in strengthening MHEWS could ensure that early warning services reach the ‘last mile’ such as the most remote and vulnerable populations, providing them with timely, meaningful and actionable warning information,” Ms. Legarda stressed.

She further explained that legislation could help close the gaps in coordination among stakeholders, inadequate public awareness and participation, and insufficient political and financial support.

Furthermore, legislation on MHEWS could ensure that early warning services of hydro-meteorological services are authoritative, science-based, risk-informed, operational round-the-clock, and made available to and actionable by the people, groups and sectors at risk.

“Times do change. Disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity and are significantly impeding progress towards sustainable development. We cannot be content with what we have now, we have to do more and that is what we aim here in Sendai as we adopt a new DRR framework that will help nations and communities reduce existing risks and prevent the creation of new risks. Legislators have a significant role. Legislators should be effective game changers in building disaster resilience,” Ms. Legarda concluded.

Comments

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become...

Free dormitories eyed for Nueva Era students in LC, Batac

Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Nueva Era , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here, headed by Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida is planning to establish dormitories in the cities of Laoag and Batac that will exclusively cater to college students from the said cities. “Sapay la kuma ta maituloyen iti mabiit tay ar-arapaapen tayo ken iti munisipyo a maipatakderan kuma dagiti annak tayo a college students nga agbasbasa idiay siyudad iti Batac ken Laoag iti libre a dormitoryo a bukod da ngem inggana nga awan pay ket an-anusan mi paylaeng nga ibaklay kenni apo bise mayor iti pagbayad da iti kasera aggapu iti bukod mi a suweldo malaksid dagitay it-ited iti munisipyo ken iti barangay nga stipend da kada semester, ” Garvida said. Garvida added that the proposed establishment of dormitories would be a big help to the students’ parents as this would shoulder the expenses of their children for rent and likewise they would feel...

P29 per kilo rice sold to vulnerable groups in Ilocos region

BBM RICE. Residents buy rice for only PHP29 per kilo at the NIA compound in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. The activity was under a nationwide pilot program of the government to sell quality and affordable rice initially to the vulnerable sectors. (Lei Adriano) San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte —Senior citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents availed of cheap rice sold at PHP29 per kilogram during the grand launching of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice held at the National Irrigation Administration compound in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. “ Maraming salamat Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa inyong pagmamahal sa Region 1 lalong-lalo na sa bayan namin sa San Nicolas,” said Violeta Pasion, a resident Brgy. 18 Bingao in this town. The low-priced grains were sourced from the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) contract farming with irrigators' association members in the province. Along with Pasion, Epi...

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog