City gets $200T disaster management grant from WB
World Bank (WB) has granted Iloilo City a technical assistance for disaster and risk reduction (DRR) and management program amounting to $200,000. The program will provide the city’s disaster management implementors better views on its readiness program and as well as post-disaster plans.
“The amount is small compared to the help that the program can give to the city. We have already consulted different groups to come up with a concrete disaster program for Iloilo City. Experts on disaster risk management will help the city build capacity, craft plans and review ordinances to make sure it’s protected during disasters,” said Chris Pablo of WB.
Pablo said the WB has chosen Iloilo City because of the favorable response of Mayor Jerry Treñas by allocating resources and creating a team to coordinate the project. “We hope to get more support later on to build disaster-mitigating facilities,” Pablo added. “They expect to finish the program by 2010.
There is a need to identify the impact and consequences of climate change such as surge in sea level, storm, extreme weather condition, and rising temperature to better prepare on how to deal with these concerns,” said Earl Kessler.
Kessler, an expert on shelter, urban programs and disaster response and recovery, said they will find out how ready is the city in terms of disaster mitigation. They have to be proactive and not to wait before it’s too late. People should understand the issue as we have to bring the citizenry to the leadership of the city government. The information base will be updated and consolidated for good planning which will be translated into viable short- and long-term projects.
“We will find out how ready is the city in terms of disaster mitigation and adaptation to become proactive and not to wait before it’s too late. People should understand the issue as we have to bring in the citizenry along with the leadership of the city government,” Kessler said.
Pablo and Kessler were in the city Monday for the grant.
On his part, Mayor Treñas said the WB assistance will help identify the city’s flood-prone areas in order to put in place early preparation measures in case a typhoon of same magnitude as Frank hits the metropolis again.
Most of the 180 barangays were flooded when Typhoon Frank hit the city. The Jaro district has the most number of flooded barangays and typhoon evacuees.