Negros Oriental Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria has assured local government units (LGUs) of resource augmentation to ramp up their individual disaster response and mitigation plans.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) executive director Adrian Sedillo told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday that the governor gave his assurance on Monday during a convergence of local DRRMOs at the convention center here to signal the start of the province’s National Disaster Resilience Month celebration.

“While the provincial government does not have direct control and supervision of the LGUs in terms of disaster response, Gov. Chaco Sagarbarria wants to make sure that the towns and cities are equipped with the necessary skills, training and equipment to respond to disasters, calamities and emergencies,” Sedillo said.

Each LGU has its own budget and resources in terms of disaster response and mitigation and own celebration activities, he said.

The provincial government has lined up several activities, including improved awareness and education campaigns and evacuation and other emergency drills.

Next week, a training of trainors on Basic Life Support will be held to be cascaded to the lower levels, Sedillo said.

The following week, a training on Public Service Continuity Plan is scheduled in pursuit of a requirement by the Commission on Audit and the Civil Service Commission “to ensure that delivery of services is not hampered even during times of disaster”.

Other highlights include a convergence of rescue teams in “mini-Olympics” with mock scenarios as well as a static display of rescue equipage and other resources, Sedillo added. (PNA)