TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, March 25 (PIA) -- Inter-agency and multi-sectoral representatives here signed the Statement of Commitment for a better integrated approach to disaster risk mitigation by “risk-aware” development planning, capital resource prioritization, and inter-agency and muti-sectoral collaboration for a more resilient Bohol and rationalized rehabilitation and recovery.    

Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap, who led the signing, said the day-long summit should provide stakeholders with a better understanding of hazards and risks, allow them to build back better, access other stakeholders and partners for fiscal and technical help and tap more donors for financing and leveraging towards disaster recovery.

The signing of Statement of Commitment highlights the Bohol Resiliency Summit, which was a collaborative project by the Provincial Government of Bohol, World Bank, the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) and the Holy Name University.

In the statement of commitment, Boholanos said they recognize that the most effective way to reduce the impact of disaster is investing in boosting communities’ resilience by enhancing the collective ability to prepare and plan to absorb and recover as well as adapt to adverse events.

They said they would commit to adopt actions from reactive to more proactive approaches to disasters where communities can join in enhancing resiliency to reduce massive burdens and losses.

Boholanos also committed to use science-based public and private partnerships, hone local government unit capacities with evidence-informed risk governance, and launch more joint resiliency programs.     

The summit also came at a time when Bohol as well as Region 7 is recovering from the wake of massive destruction brought by typhoon Odette.

Sitting on a high vulnerability perch with multiple natural hazards like earthquakes, storm surges, tsunamis, flooding, tropical cyclones, landslides and drought owing to its being an island, Bohol has been crippled by major disasters. 

The summit - with a pool of experts in hazards and risks such as Department of Science and Technology Usec. Renato Solidum, Armando Malicse for geohazard mapping, Office of the Civil Defense for extreme weather events and its future, Dr. Ma. Laurice Jamero for mainstreaming climate science into development planning - presented to Boholano stakeholders the hazards and risks as well as assessment and implementation planning.

The summit also featured Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery Framework best practices with Dolores Molintas of the National Economic Development Authority, as well as Bohol’s Post-Odette Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan where stakeholders saw how communities can insulate themselves from the risks of disasters.

There was also an overview on the role of stakeholders in disaster recovery and strengthening private sector engagement  by PDRF’s Rene Melly.

Atty. Leslie Cordero also talked about leveraging on development partner’s initiatives, while a non-government organization doing community level relief effort discussed opportunities for communities to seek help. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)