The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) passed two resolutions during the fourth quarter full council meeting last Nov. 8.
CDRRMC Resolution 13, s. 2023 adopts the Baguio City El Niño Action Plan 2023 to 2025.
The Department of Science and Technology-Pagasa raised the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) alert and warning system in the El Niño Watch on March 24 based on recent conditions and forecast models.
El Niño, the warm phase of ENSO, refers to the above-average sea surface temperature that periodically develops across the Central and Eastern Equatorial Pacific.
In response to the raised ENSO alert, the Department of the Interior and Local Government issued Memorandum Circular 2023-065 directing all concerned officials to implement mitigation and preparedness measures for the forthcoming climatic conditions.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong issued Executive Order 60 this year creating the City El Niño Task Force to spearhead mitigation and preparedness measures.
The CDRRMO, the task force’s secretariat, initiated the preparation of the City Action Plan 2023-2025 taking into consideration inputs provided by task force members.
Meanwhile, Resolution 12, s. 2023 adopts the project prioritization criteria for DRRM programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) to properly process and determine which existing PPAs are the most urgent for DRRM.
The measure stated it can be done through several project prioritization methods that allow decision-makers to assess the feasibility, impact and potential value of a PPA.
It added local DRRM officers are responsible for prioritizing PPAs by establishing project prioritization criteria that weigh the pros and cons of existing and potential PPAs then make a decision based on their analysis. – Gaby B. Keith
