Early warning system kits distributed to Itogon

ITOGON, Benguet -The nine barangays of this town received inclusive early warning system (EWS) kits under the empowerment program of high risk communities on enhancing disaster and climate risk governance.

The EWS kit contains warning flags, institutional and communication cards, reflectorized vest, bell, multi-purpose poncho, whistle, led flashlight, solar panel hand-held charger, megaphone, flashlight, head lamp, and transistor radio.

This is a component of the Empowering Municipalities, barangays, CSOs and People's Organization through Working together to enhance Disaster and climate Risk governance (EMPOWER) Project, a 30month joint project of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency ( ADRA) and Humanity and Inclusion (HI) and supported by the European Union. The project aims to strengthen the resilience of high-risk communities by reinforcing civil society relevance in disaster and climate risk governance.

Prior to the turn-over, HI Disaster Risk Reduction Technical Adviser Carissa Galla oriented the barangay officials on the use of the kit items and on early warning system. She underscored three important points on early warning system – the type of warning should be communicated early, the information should be correct, and the

warning should reach all so that no one will be left behind especially persons with disability.

EMPOWER Project Manager Geraldine Gutierrez said the EWS kits will augment the existing capacity of the local government.

“Early warning system of every community should be inclusive and accessible. It should reach all citizens including persons with disability. As often most of our warning system lack access to appropriate and disability-inclusive disaster risk information-as a result of lack of inclusive disaster risk strategies in our risk reduction including early warning systems, persons with disabilities are more likely to succumb in a disaster situation,” stressed Gutierrez.

Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Engr Cyril Batcagan said the early warning devices that were provided have great benefits for the community. Dissemination of information and giving inclusive early warning to the people including persons with disabilities will be easier especially in times of emergency. Hazards have become more frequent like typhoons which have become more destructive. As a result, there are worse flooding and landslides and often persons with disabilities have been ignored and excluded from consideration in the design of disaster early warning system.

A follow-up activity will be conducted for the setting-up of inclusive early warning systems in the barangays to further enhance their capacities in preparing for future disaster and climate risks.

Municipal Administrator Noel Ngolob, in behalf of the local government, expressed thanks to the people behind the EMPOWER Project saying that this will go a long way in empowering the barangays including the PWDs to be prepared in case of disaster or any calamity. Philippine Information Agency – CAR