Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo led 14 mayors and other officials from the province in attending three-day regional disaster risk reduction summit in Cebu City in a bid to further strengthen existing contingency plans and undertake a pro-active stance on climate change issues and concerns.

Gov. Degamo and Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto led Thursday’s signing of commitment among provincial and local government chief executives to accept challenges on disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation, said Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo.

The three-day summit, which ended Friday, was organized by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council through the Office of Civil Defense and the Department of Interior & Local Government, Sedillo said.

The regional summit was mainly intended for provincial and local chief executives in Region 7 to include governors, mayors, planning officers and disaster management officers, he added.

At least 14 mayors from Negros Oriental, specifically from Sta. Catalina, Siaton, Dauin, Bacong, Valencia, Dumaguete, San Jose, Amlan, Tanjay, Manjuyod, Bindoy, Ayungon, Jimalalud and Vallehermoso had attended the gathering, according to Sedillo.

Focal points of discussion during the summit include the roles of chief executives on disaster risk reduction, incident command system and utilization of disaster preparedness funds, among others.

Resource persons included those from the Department of Budget and Management, the National Economic and Development Authority, the DILG, the OCD and the Department of Health, among others, Sedillo said.

Also representing Negros Oriental in the summit were Sedillo and Angelo Tiongson, both executive officers of the PDRRMC and Engr. Ingo Mercado of the provincial planning office.

Sedillo stressed the need for local chief executives to adopt measures to mitigate the effects of climate change which are now becoming more evident with elevated disaster risks. (PNA LAP/JFP)