ALABEL, Sarangani (October 13, 2022) – Gov. Rogelio “Ruel” Pacquiao convened the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) for its first regular council meeting on Wednesday (October 12), approving key measures that include the allocation of P90 million PDRRM Fund for 2023.

“The life and safety of the Sarangans is of paramount significance and every second counts in mitigating a possible tragedy or avoiding casualties,” Governor Pacquiao said in his opening statement. “My governance direction is clear – that is to bring public service closer to the people.:

Aside from the reconstitution of the PDRRMC with Vice Governor Elmer de Peralta as co-chairperson and Provincial Administrator Atty. Ryan Jay Ramos as vice chairperson, the other measures approved by the council were the:

-   reversion of unexpended LDRRMF balances from calendar year 2014, 2015 and 2016 back to general fund amounting to P980,347.68 for re-appropriation for the procurement of welfare goods and financial assistance to disaster-affected families;

-   downloading of P100,000 financial assistance donated by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III for calamity victims in Maitum;

-   re-alignment of the portion of the finalization of Provincial Framework Plan under the unexpended LDRRMF trust fund 2021 in the amount of P1.5 million;

-   designation of Sarangani National Sports Academy (SANSA) as temporary provincial evacuation center, subject to a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“We have to make sure that our existing roads, bridges and other key infrastructure will be timely repaired in times of emergency,” Gov. Pacquiao told the council. “For that, we must continue our efforts to capacitate our Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and continue to build disaster-resilient communities and families.”

As approved by the PDRRMC, the PDRRM Fund and Investment Plan includes a P27-million “Quick Response Fund” and P1.9 million for the “Prevention and Control Program for Economically Important Livestock and Poultry Diseases and Zoonoses”.

For “preparedness”, P20 million was allocated for the procurement of a mobile hospital and P5 million for drugs and medicines under the Provincial Health Office. The PDRRMO led by Rene Punzalan would disburse P6,360,800 under “Building Disaster Resilient Communities and Families, P5,312,300 for Institutional Capability and Capacity”, and P5 million for the “Institutionalization of Sarangani Integrated Disaster Emergency Quick Response Team”.

With the “response” thematic area, the PDRRMO would have in its purse P3,546,6610 for “Emergency Response to Damaged Roads, Bridges and Other Infrastructure”, P5 million DRRM “Safety Net” (intended to extend financial assistance to municipalities and barangays that are affected by disaster emergency in the absence of declaration under the state of emergency), and P8 million for “Public Safety and Emergency Response”.

P3 million was earmarked for “rehabilitation and recovery”, or for Reaching towards and Uplifting and Empowering Life (RUEL) Pabahay Project.

The governor said the establishment of RUEL Pabahay: Housing and Shelter Program “is in line with our people-centered special program established to address the housing needs of our indigent Sarangans.

Governor Pacquiao pushed for the establishment of Health Emergency Management Programs, the building of Disaster Resilient Communities, and the institutionalization of Sarangani Integrated Disaster Emergency Quick Response Team which are “vital in the efforts to address the pressing needs of the province as we face the challenges of disaster and calamities.” (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)