The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) called on the national government and the local government units (LGUs) to forge a cooperative plan for a more efficient disaster risk response, reduction and mitigation process.
ULAP president Dakila ‘Dax’ Cua said the series of weather disturbances that entered the country recently reveals a reality of harsher climate change challenges for the Filipinos.
“Time to get serious about inter-government collaboration,” Cua stressed.
“In the month of November alone, four storms have developed simultaneously in the Western Pacific Ocean, which is the first time that such a phenomenon has occurred since storm recording began in 1951,’’ the Japan Meteorological Agency pointed out.
ULAP recalled that the spate of the recent weather disturbances has caused massive destruction and flooding in Northern Luzon and other areas.
Further, Cua insisted that severe flooding-related woes “are various and interconnected,’’ which must “not be dealt with by one town alone, but rather by clusters of towns, cities and provinces that are affected.’’
The ULAP chief and Quirino governor stated that many experts emphasize the need for an inter-agency and inter-LGU approach to disaster management.
Cua also urged a "nature-focused approach,’’ calling for “aggressive replanting of indigenous trees on mountains and along water channels to reduce flooding.’’
"The reason why we are dealing with greater flooding is because the trees that prevent the onrushing of water are gone," lamented Cua.
Cua also called for a shift away from road-raising projects, adding that the LGUs should instead focus on rainwater harvesting and water detention facilities.
"This way, we can reuse the water that would otherwise flood our communities for agricultural, industrial, and even household purposes," he noted.
"Lastly, we should be humble enough and solicit the help of experts to help us craft a strategy that would protect our communities," Cua continued.