Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla speaks at the at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction on Oct. 17, 2024 (Photo from the DILG)
MANILA, Philippines – The development plans for 188 local government units (LGU) in the country are still “not risk-informed”, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
“As of October 15, 2024, 1,284 or 79 percent of the cities and municipalities have CDPs (comprehensive development plans) that are still in effect. Of this number, 910 CDPs have been assessed, from which 291 have been found to be risk-informed, 431 are partially risk-informed, and 188 are not risk-informed,” Remulla said at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) on Thursday.
He added that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) was working to ensure LGUs’ plans “contained programs that address or mitigate natural and biological hazards that may impede local development.”
According to the multinational relief organization Oxfam on Thursday, local governments spent more money responding to disasters than preparing for disasters.
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“Proactivity and strategy are key to long-term resilience. Beyond warning systems, preparedness drills and emergency response, local government units should also focus on strategic land use planning to help achieve climate and disaster resilience,” Remulla said.
“We do not have the luxury of time because climate change is here. It is here now. Because of our geographical location, disasters are inevitable,” he added.
Hosted by the Philippines with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the APMCDRR is a forum tackling disaster risk reduction, gathering governments, intergovernmental bodies and civil society organizations in the Asia-Pacific region.
The conference began on October 14 at the Philippine International Conference Center in Pasay City. It will end on October 18.