MANILA – Parañaque 2nd District Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan is pushing the passage of his proposed measure that aims to produce multi-hazard maps for each city and municipality in the country, and integrate these tools into disaster risk reduction efforts and local development planning.
HB 4035, which was filed on Aug. 26, mandates the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its attached agency, the National Mapping and Resources Information Authority (NAMRIA), to develop multi-hazard maps for each city and municipality in the country.
The DENR and NAMRIA will undertake this task together with the Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Space Agency, Climate Change Commission, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the concerned local government units (LGUs) and other relevant government agencies with existing hazard mapping projects and satellite imaging capabilities.
According to the bill, these agencies shall also work together to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to ensure the accessibility and proper use of the maps.
The plan should include a nationwide information campaign; training programs for local officials, disaster response teams and community leaders; and other similar efforts.
HB 4035 also provides for the integration of the multi-hazard maps into the local development and disaster response planning of LGUs, while national agencies shall consider the maps in the planning, design and approval of public works and utilities.
The multi-hazard maps shall be updated by the DENR, in coordination with the concerned LGUs, every three years.
In a statement on Tuesday, Yamsuan said his proposed legislation would strengthen the implementation of a Republic Act 12287, which institutionalizes the declaration of a “State of Imminent Disaster” to allow the government to implement anticipatory actions before a calamity strikes.
“While disasters cannot be prevented, it is possible to mitigate their impact by understanding their behavior and adopting science-based and data-driven strategies. One such approach is hazard mapping,” Yamsuan said.
“Multi-hazard maps would provide our DRRM councils with effective tools in implementing the Declaration of Imminent Disaster Law. On top of being helpful for land use planning, these maps would aid the DRRM councils in pinpointing the most vulnerable areas where preemptive action should be urgently carried out to help save lives and reduce losses before a calamity strikes,” he added.
He said the bill aims to build on what the Project Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) has achieved so far in identifying areas that would be struck by hazards caused by extreme weather events. (PNA)