Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management

1. The utilization of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF)
totaling ₱12,661,352.04 was not effectively monitored and evaluated due to imcomplete Local
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (LDRRMP), hence efficiency on the use of fund
and responsiveness of the reported accomplishments were not established. Moreover, support
services to risk management was not adequately provided for failure to (a) fill up the approved
positions for the DRRM Office and (b) create the Emergency Response Team (ERT), while
monitoring of the balance of the LDRRMF was not facilitated due to the non-maintenance of
separate budget register therefor, contrary to rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 10121.
Finally, the creation of Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC)
was not duly sanctioned by the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) contrary to existing rules and
regulations.

Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine DRRM Act of 2010 was enacted into
law to pave the way for the need to adopt a disaster risk reduction and management approach that
is holistic, comprehensive, integrated and proactive in lessening the socio-economic and
environmental impacts of disasters at all levels, especially the local community.

Based on the foregoing, the law and its implementing rules and regulations expressly states that it
is incumbent to all LGUs to comply with the basic requirements and standards set forth by this
law, to wit:

Category Brief description

Structure Refer to the overseeing and implementing organization for
DRRM at level as stipulated in R.A. 10121
Systems and Policies Processes and procedures and guiding principles that need to
be in place to ensure the effective implementation of the
DRRM activities of the LGUs
Plans Course of actions and proposed strategies for Local DRRM
Programs, adopted through Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP),
Panlunsod or Bayan (SB) Ordinance or Resolution.
Data Requirement Facts, information and figurers needed to effectively plan and
implement DRRM Initiatives at the local level
Trainings Educational and instructional requirement to efficiently and
effectively manage and execute DRRM projects and activities
Equipage Equipment, tools and paraphernalia requirements to
adequately prepare when hazards strike
Service Delivery Stocks, services and support that should be in place for
effective disaster response and recovery

The significance and relevance of the above law had never been more felt by the Municipality until
the occurrence of floods repeatedly that struck some areas in Laur since 2016 which unceasingly
left devastating effects on the livelihood of the people. Unluckily, said adversity was also
confirmed by the recent MGB Geohazard Assessment of the barangays in the municipalities/cities
in the province of Nueva Ecija conducted by Mines and Geosciences Bureau – Regional Office III
(MGB-R3) which states that in Municipality of Laur:
  There is one (1) barangay with moderate landslide susceptibility (Bayug)
 There are four (4) barangays with low landslide susceptibility (Bacao, Burac, Pantoc and San
Fernando).
 There are twelve (12) barangays with low flood susceptibility (Poblacion I, II, III, San Felipe,
San Juan. Paludpod, Pintol, Bacao, Pantoc, Bayug, San Isidro and San Fernando).
 There is one (1) barangay with moderate flood susceptibility (Pinagbayanan)
 There are nine (9) barangays with low to moderate flood susceptibility (Poblacion IV,
Siclong, San Vicente, Canantong, San Josef, Sagana, Labi, Casa Real and Burac).
 There are five (5) barangays and one (1) sitio with portions susceptible to high level floods.
These barangays are located near active creeks and Coronel River and with portions that are
located in generally low-lying areas. (Pacarso, Kamuning, Panaulo, Betania, San Antonio
and Sitio Pangarulong)
 There are two (2) barangays and one (1) sitio with portions prone to liquefaction (Panaulo,
Betania and Sitio Pangarulong)

In addition, the same assessment report also tackles the vulnerability of the Municipality’s
population to disaster stating that of 3,125 from 34,865 total population or 8.93% of the total
population are considered at high risk to disaster.

Number of Population at
Population No. of Households Percentage
Barangay High Risk

17 34,865 5,814 3,125 8.93%

Put all things in concern, a review of the LGU’s compliance with the foregoing requirements and
considerations disclosed the following:

We take cognizance that the Local Government of Laur has made efforts both at municipal and
barangay levels aimed at improving disaster risk reduction and management from the beginning.
This has mainly been through building the capacity of local governments to ensure that the basic
requirements and standards set by law are addressed upon. However, despite these interventions,
challenges still persist, thus, assessment and verification on the agency’s compliance to basic
requirements and standards for disaster risk reduction and management approach were made by
the team. It follows that:

Number of Item
Category Number of Items Percentage
Complied
Structure
Systems and Policies
Plans
Data Requirement
Trainings
Equipage
Service Delivery
Total
Current disbursements still go with short-lived programs and activities

For CY 2018, the Municipality set aside an appropriation of not less than 5% of the estimated
revenue from regular sources, through the Municipal Appropriation Ordinance No. 2018-01,
authorizing the approval of the programs, projects and activities of the Municipality pertaining to
the disaster preparedness/prevention for CY 2018, in the amount of ₱6,797,897.95. This, together
with the continuing appropriations of ₱ 5,856,062.20 were utilized as follows:

Amount
Particulars
Available Utilized Balance
Current Year Appropriation
Quick Response Fund (QRF) ₱ 2,039,369.38 - ₱2,039,369.38
Mitigation Fund (MF)
MOOE 2,515,228.57 419,432.00 2,095,796.57
Capital Outlay 2,243,300.00 880,000.00 1,363,300.00
Total 6,797,897.95 1,299,432.00 5,498,465.95
Continuing Appropriation:
Special Trust Fund
CY 2012 189,919.50 - 189,919.50
CY 2013 22,053.81 - 22,053.81
CY 2014 69,997.75 - 69,997.75
CY 2015 9,625.15 9,625.15
CY 2016 2,521,072.85 2,521,072.85
CY 2017 3,043,393.14 3,043,393.14
Total 5,856,062.20 - 5,856,062.20
Grand Total ₱12,653,960.15 ₱ 1,299,432.00 ₱11,354,528.15

Inasmuch as there was no declaration of state of calamity during CY 2018, the Quick Response
Fund remained unused as at year end. As to the Mitigating Fund the Management only used
₱1,299,432.00 equivalent to only 10.26 % of the allowable appropriations amounting to
₱12,653,960.15 leaving an unused balance of ₱ 11,354,528.15 at year end. The amount utilized of
the total appropriations for MF was for the following expenditures:

Date Particulars Amount

March 2018 Meals and Snacks ₱ 9,800.00
July 2018 Purchase of 50 Cavans of NFA Rice 80,000.00
Labor for rehabilitation/cleaning and declogging of
September 2018
canals at Poblacion 50,000.00
September 2018 Labor for trimming of trees 50,000.00
September 2018 Purchase of Relief Goods 33,972.00
September 2018 Purchase of 50 Cavans of NFA Rice 80,000.00
September 2018 Reimbursement of sacks and strings 2,450.00
September 2018 Meals and Snacks - Typhoon 3,750.00
September 2018 Meals and Snacks - Typhoon 26,600.00
October 2018 Purchase of Relief Goods 43,700.00
 November 2018 Diesel consumption for typhoon preparedness
39,160.00
December 2018 Purchase of Generator Set 880,000.00
Total ₱ 1,299,432.00

The above disbursements were narrated in a report that, however, contains no reference to the
corresponding objective as provided in the LDRRMF Investment Plan for CY 2018 in terms of:
a. Apparent need of the community
b. Targeted quantitative and qualitative program, project and activity,
c. Schedule of implementation
d. Expected completion of the activity and;
e. Budgeted costs

As such, evaluation of the responsiveness of the said activities with the needs being addressed as
well as the efficiency of fund utilization could not be at least approximated. The disbursements are
mostly short-lived or piecemeal programs and activities with regrettably substantial funding as can
be gleaned above, thus, depriving the public of advantages of projects with long-term benefits
which address their actual and apparent needs as intended by Philippine DRRM Law.

Notably, the budget for capital outlay amounting to ₱880,000.00 was used to purchase a generator,
which was reportedly for disaster preparedness and in times of calamity. However, the same have
not yet been delivered as of this writing.

In an interview, the poor performance and utilization of the management as well as the low level
of compliance were due to absence of competent personnel, who will facilitate and focus on the
duties and responsibilities for implementation, operation and management of the Municipal
disaster risk and management related programs, projects and activities. Hence, deficiencies
pertaining to the implementation and compliance with the existing rules and regulations on risk
reduction and management turned apparent and simply cannot be disclaimed.

Lapses were due to failure to fill up mandatory positions for MDRRM office

The Local DRRM is at the forefront of disaster management as they take in the challenge of
enhancing the resilience of their respective communities where disaster incidents take place. Thus,
RA 10121 mandates the establishment of LDRRMOs in provinces, cities, and municipalities. Said
offices are mandated by law to have a DRRM Officer, and three staff for (a) administration and
training, (b) research and planning, and (c) operations and warning. On that account, the
Municipality of Laur adopted a scheme for their MDRRM Office Orginazational Structure, as
presented below:
Chairperson
(Municipal
Mayor)

Administrative
MDDRM Officer
and Training

Reserach and Operation and

Planning Warning

Damage Rescue and Relief and

Early Warning Evacuation Medical and Camp
Assessment and REhabilitation Security and
SErvice Services Health Service Management
Need Analysis Service Police (PNP)
(Barangay) (MHO) Service (DepEd)
(MAO) (MSWDO) (MSWDO/MEO)
However, inquiry and verification on the matter disclosed that the position for the MDRRM
Officer was not yet filled up. As it was, the management only designated the Municipal Engineer
for that purpose without regard to the fact that the Engineer was also appointed as the BAC
Chairman. Likewise, the positions under the staffing pattern of the MDRRM Office that are
responsible for the administration and training, research and planning, and operations and warning,
respectively, were also not filled up. Thus, the implementation, operation and management of
programs, projects and activities for DRRM suffered adverse effects.

Management commented that the mandatory positions remained vacant because there are
difficulties in looking for aspiring and/or qualified applicants for the positions despite
advertisement of the said vacancies, due to the requirements/standards set up by the law.

On a positive note, the Audit Team recognizes the sincere efforts of the officials in addressing the
disaster risk reduction and management issues and in complying with the requirements and
standards set forth by law. Such include as the availability of necessary equipment/facilities and
the conduct of the following activities:

a. Evacuation System
1. Regular conduct of drills
2. Evacuation map
3. LGU Ordinance on pre-emptive/force evacuation
b. Communication System
1. System managed by a designated Public Information Officer (PIO)
2. Implementation of Internal Communications Protocols
3. Emergency telecommunications services – Base radio/Equipment
c. Relief Management
1. Warehouse location is a low risk area
2. Minimum required volume of stockpile
3. Guidelines on distribution of goods per tagging
d. Equipage
1. Generator set
2. Flashlights with batteries
3. Megaphone/ Siren
4. 2 way radio
5. Water rescue kit
6. Extrication kit
7. Personal protective equipment
8. First aid kit/Emergency medical kit

6.1. We recommended and the Management agreed that the Local Chief Executive direct
the: (a) official concerned in charge of the preparation of LDRRM accomplishment
report to indicate therein the corresponding targeted quantitative and qualitative
program, project and activity, date of actual implementation, and the actual costs
incurred to facilitate determination of efficiency in program implementation and
effectiveness of the projects accomplished; (b) Human Resources and Management
Officer to (i) prioritize the placement of a fulltime MDDRM Officer who will focus on
core functions of the MDRRMO and the hiring of the three mandatory staff personnel
to handle the administration, training, research and planning, and operations and
warning, to provide adequate support to DRRM activities; and (ii) provide necessary
interventions to equip personnel of the required competencies necessary to man and
run the ERT and, henceforth, constitute the ERT; and (c) Municipal Budget Officer
to maintain separate Registry of Appropriations, Allotments and Obligations
(RAAO) for LDRRMF to facilitate monitoring of fund utilization.