Legarda to Hold Geohazard Briefings, Distribute Maps in Pangasinan

January 13, 2013

SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA WILL CONDUCT GEOHAZARD BRIEFINGS AND DISTRIBUTE GEOHAZARD MAPS TO MUNICIPALITIES IN PANGASINAN ON JANUARY 15.
Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, will also speak before students of the Pangasinan State University in order to reach out to the youth about climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
“Our local officials need to have the valuable, life-saving information regarding risks present in their communities, all of which can be found in the geohazard maps. These maps show where it is safe and unsafe to reside or to build infrastructure. And while I believe that LGU support is crucial, we must also involve the youth because they will be the ones to continue the practice of adhering to our standards of safety and disaster preparedness,” she explained.
Legarda started the distribution of maps last week with the formal turnover of geohazard maps to local officials of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.
“Our citizens have the right to know if they are living in landslide or flood-prone areas. Everyone from public servants to members of the youth should be equipped with this knowledge. Through this, we should be able to radically minimize the casualties and damages when a natural hazard strikes,” she stressed.
“As Filipinos, we owe it to each other to be involved in efforts to reduce disaster risks and adapt to climate change. Now is the time to give nothing less than our wholehearted commitment to arm all sectors with the right tools to be disaster resilient,” Legarda concluded.