OCD-7: RA 10121 Mandates LGUs to Make Position of DRRMO Permanent

Local government units (LGUs) should institutionalize the position of local disaster risk reduction and management officers (DRRMOs) as mandated under the law for the continuity of disaster preparedness measures and disaster risk reduction programs.

Regional Director Olivia Luces of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD-7) said under RA 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Reduction and Management Act, the position of local DRRMOs should be permanent and not co-terminus with the local chief executive.

“Making the DRRMO position permanent is to ensure continuity of disaster risk reduction and management programs of the LGU. Also, it is a waste of government money sending the DRRMO to various trainings to upgrade his or her technical skills and then he or she is just replaced after the term of the local chief executive ends,” said Luces.

Luces said it is very important for the LGU to understand this and appoint somebody who has the expertise and experience to the permanent post.

Luces however, lauded the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Negros Oriental which have appointed a permanent provincial DRRMO.

But Luces who also chairs the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-7) lamented that only a few LGUs have complied with the provision of the law.

Disaster preparedness and similar programs should be given priority by the LGUs, said Luces which could make a huge difference if the DRRMO is given the responsibility to continually implement the programs and not be hindered by the end of the term of the city or municipal mayor.

“We want to achieve the goal of being a disaster-resilient region,” which is deterred by the termination of the local DRRMO sans the permanence of the position, said Luces.

Luces expressed hopes the local chief executives will take action on their end amid the identification of the Philippines as among the top five disaster-prone countries worldwide by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The RDRRMC-7 chair further said LGUs should make their DRRM council functional down to the barangay level and undertake proactive measures amid the threat of La Niña.

La Niña is said to occur at a probability of 85 percent according to PAGASA-Visayas citing international weather forecasting centers which could hit the country beginning October until February of next year. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)