The lack of preparedness for disasters as serious and widespread as
typhoons Sendong and Pablo has resulted to massive devastation and to make sure
it does not happen again, the World Food Program (WFP) has expanded its
Disaster Preparedness and Response (DPR) Programme in Mindanao by adding the
Climate Change Adaptation Component (CCA).
“This
new focus complements WFP’s aim of strengthening the resilience of local government
and communities,” WFP Representative and Country Director Praveen K. Agrawal
said Tuesday. He said this also supports the provisions of Republic Act 9729 or
the Climate Change Act as well as the priorities of the national Climate Change
Action Plan (NCCAP).
The
CCA component of the DPR Programme will be piloted in three cities in Mindanao
and one city in the Visayas including Davao, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo.
WFPA
has launched in June 2013 a one year CCA project in Davao City on “Utilizing
Upland Micro-Catchment Water Harvesting Technology” in order to stabilize the
slopes and catch rainwater for upland agriculture.
Mr.
Agrawal said 10 Micro-Catchment Water Harvesting Systems will be set up in 20
hectares of sloping farms in Davao integrating the Sloping Agricultural Land
technology. Under this technology, multi-cropping and riverbank development
will be used as comprehensive approaches to ensure the protection and
management of the upland environmental ecosystem.
“This
is a joint activity with the local government and we are now in the preparation
and development stage where we identify the priorities as needed by the
communities,” he said. When asked about the total cost of the CCA project in
Davao, he said the cost is not important because it can always be adjusted to
reflect what the communities really need.
Mr.
Agrawal said “We can say the project is worth $100 but what if what is needed
is really $1000? Let’s see what the communities really needs and then we will
support it.”
The
city, which has continuously experienced its own share of flooding in the past
years, is also enhancing its flood monitoring system. Davao City Disaster Risk
Reduction Management Office Chief Pepito Capili said eight water measurement
equipment has been installed last month through the Department of Science and
Technology’s (DOST) Project Noah. The equipment were installed along the Suawan
River, Tamugan, Davao River, Pangi Bridge, Mintal Bridge, Wangan Bridge and
Wangan Bridge. Also included are two rain gauges to be installed in Biao which
contributes to the Pangi Water System and Baguio Proper.
The
city is also in the process of constructing the wireless telemetry system and
upgrading the installation of cameras in the city’s major bridges which will
provide the Disaster Operations Center with a visual electronic monitoring
system to monitor the condition of the rivers.
In
Butuan City, Sago Palms and other indigenous trees and shrubs will be used to
establish a 10-kilometer long buffer zone or ecobelt along the waterways of the
Lower Agusan River to cover three flood-prone barangays. Sago Palms are known
to withstand intense typhoon winds, drought and prolonged flooding. These
plants can also prevent soil erosion as it has a root system that can trap
silt.
WFP
plans to raise the level of awareness in the community on the importance of
planting Sago Palms to combat the ill effects of climate change in order to
ensure the continuity of the initiative.
Cagayan
de Oro City, one of the hardest hit cities during typhoon Sendong, is also one
of the beneficiaries of the CCA project.
The project will specifically answer the city’s unique problem as it is
not only faced by flooding problems but it is also faced by water scarcity
during droughts.
WFP
will also install 80 community-based roof catchment rainwater harvesting units
in 40 duplex dwellings in the city. Up to 160 families are set to benefit from
the domestic water source to be provided under the CCA project.
“While
improving access to water, the systems will also help reduce rainfall surface
run-off,” WFP’s project primer said. The Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (Tesda) will be asked to certify community members for
the construction and maintenance of the rainwater harvesting systems.
