US publications hail Albay model for disaster preparedness

Big waves pound a sea wall in Legazpi City, Albay province during super typhoon Haiyan.

Manila Times/Legazpi City

Two US-based publications have cited Albay as a model for disaster preparedness, referring particularly to its effective programmes on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA).

The two US publications — Atlantic Cities and City Scope — which both run their online editions, noted how Albay institutionalised its CCA and DRR programmes into its local government functional and organisational structures which helped develop a “culture of readiness” among its people.

In its February 4 issue, Atlantic Cities, in the article, “In the Philippines, a Model for Confronting Nearly Every Disaster,” discussed how Albay, down constantly on its knees due to the brunt of typhoons and volcanic eruptions, rose to become the country’s model in disaster risk reduction management.

The article, written by Imelda Visaya Albano, said Albay Gov. Joey Salceda initiated “novel strategies to stir his province out of the concomitant effects of disasters, creating a culture of readiness by institutionalising the DRRM programme into the local government set up.”

Atlantic Cities describes itself as a magazine that “explores the most innovative ideas and pressing issues facing today’s global cities and neighbourhoods.”

“Climate-change adaptation converges naturally, spontaneously and seamlessly on the ground. We have to do what we must for the people and for the planet. All it takes is political will,” said the article quoting Salceda.

The other publication, City Scope, published an article based on a full length interview with the Albay governor titled, “Joey Salceda: Key to disaster preparation is making the extraordinary very ordinary,” which cited the governor’s DRR and CCA strategy of continuous disaster risk assessments, risk mapping (comprehensive land use plan), detailed planning and training exercises involving local government and village leaders.

“We regularly update these things: risk maps, relocation sites; geostrategic and engineering interventions; early warning systems; community-based warning and evacuation planning; pre-emptive evacuation and healthcare as disaster response; and communication systems and plans,” it quoted Salceda as saying.

“Know your hazards and exposures. Know your audience, the people. Know your response in times of disasters such as class suspensions, rescue efforts, recovery of bodies, rehabilitation and evacuation centres. And know the capacity and limits of social media as a tool,” the article further quoted the governor as having stressed.

Salceda has overhauled the common notion among local government leaders that there’s no way out of natural disasters and that Albay, like other places prone to disasters, should accept the fate of non-development.

“We are vulnerable to disasters but the local government and the communities can do something about it and we have proven that we can. It is just a matter of having the political will, the right budgeting, the right people and the right vision,” he explained.

“My vision for Albay is for it to become a most liveable place, known for good schools, good hospitals and good environment that provide a better life for our people. While we address issues surrounding climate change and natural disasters that affect thousands of lives, I firmly believe we are forging ahead and progressing in terms of economy, education, environment, equity and health,” the article said while quoting Salceda.

He explained, “there is no single bullet in doing it all,” but that the key is to mainstream climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk management into the everyday workings of the local government.

To fine-tune development programmes to CCA and DRR, Salceda created two new organic offices of the province, the first of its genre in the country — the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) and the Centre for Initiatives and Research on Climate Change Adaptation (CIRCA).

He likewise created the Albay Climate Change Academy, another first in the country and established it at the Bicol University.

The academy has been hailed as a knowledge hub on CCA and DRR in Asia.

The moves were aligned with local initiatives to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals to reduce poverty and improve public health and education, on which Albay spends 9% of its budget on CCA and DRR activities.

The Albay experience gained wide attention, and the UN has declared it, as its Global Model and Salceda as the senior global champion and spokesman on CCA and DRR.

He was subsequently elected co-chair of the UN Green Climate Fund where he represents Southeast Asia and the developing countries.

Salceda said as a model, Albay must sustain its institutional structures and procedures in local governance; improve and strengthen both local and international funding support; and intensify its inter-regional functions through collaboration and partnership with other provinces.

Albay has also stepped up its land-use planning. Dangerous areas near the coast and within 6-8 kilometers of the volcano are considered no-build zones. Its disaster rehabilitation strategy has recently been adopted by international donors and national government agencies involved in the Haiyan (Yolanda) reconstruction.