Implementing the DRMMP in Metro Manila - Pacific Disaster Center

Enhancing Local Partnership and Stakeholders’ OwnershipNGOs, business sector, mediaand the academe participated.The daylong activity led to theidentification and adoption often (10) DRMMP elementsfor Metro Manila (See Box 2),based on the recommendationsof the Metro ManilaEarthquake Impact ReductionStudy (MMEIRS) fundedby the Japan InternationalCooperation Agency (JICA).To support the implementationof these elements, EMI hasdeveloped five ImplementationWork Plans (IWP), whichcapacity building programshave to be carried out by localstakeholders, under the overall response and reliefsupervision and coordinationof PHIVOLCS as Local Investigator for the Philippines (See Box 3).Box 2. Elements of the Metro Manila DRMMP1. Strengthen the Metro Manila Disaster CoordinatingCouncil (MMDCC)2. Promote the adoption of disaster managementordinances by each city and municipality3. Promote the revitalization of city/municipalityBarangay Disaster Coordinating Councils4. Institutionalize DRM within local governmentframework and fi nancing5. Enhance lateral and vertical inter-agency andinter-governmental communication and coordination6. Enhance the legal basis for DRM at the national levelby updating/replacing Presidential Decree 15667. Promote policies that encourage implementation ofDRR and develop mechanisms for mainstreamingDRR within local government functions8. Promote local government mitigation planning throughexisting planning tools9. Conduct training needs assessment and develop10.Strengthen barangay preparedness level for disasterSubsequently, five focus groups (FGs) have been created corresponding to the fiveIWPs of the DRMMP for Metro Manila (See Box 4). The focus group approachhas been adopted as a mechanism to continually engage local stakeholders in an allinclusivedialogue, and, ultimately, support the DRMMP implementation process inthe metropolis.Box 3. IWPs of the Metro Manila DRMMPNo. Description Local Lead Partner1 Develop and institutionalize technologiesfor risk communication and preparedness2 Incorporate risk reduction criteria in landuse and urban planning3 Conduct training needs assessment andcapacity building for DRM4 Mobilize resources among NGOs,professional organizations and privatesector in the DRM agenda5 Improve legal and institutionalarrangements for DRM deliveryPHIVOLCS, MMDAMMDA PlanningOffi ce, Marikina CityOCD, MMDAPHIVOLCS, MMDA,PICEMMDA, NDCCThe Fourth Field Trip in December2005 involved two separate seminarworkshopsfor MMDA and localgovernment officials, with a unifiedtheme of “Mainstreaming DisasterRisk Reduction in Metro Manila.”Five months later, in May 2006, twomore workshops were organized aspart of the Fifth Field Trip. One wason mainstreaming DRR in land useplanning, and another, on MEGA-Index, a Megacity Indicators Systemdeveloped by EMI and its partners3