NEWS

03.09.2013

WFP to address climate adaptation in the Philippines

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Lack of preparedness for disasters has resulted in massive devastation in Mindanao.

To mitigate the impact of calamities, the World Food Program (WFP) has expanded its Disaster Preparedness and Response program on the island by adding a climate change adaptation component.

“This new focus complements WFP’s aim of strengthening the resilience of local government and communities,” WFP representative Praveen K. Agrawal said.

He said the program is in line with the provisions of Republic Act 9729, or the Climate Change Act, as well as the national climate change action plan.

The climate change component of the disaster preparedness program will be piloted in three cities in Mindanao and one in the Visayas, specifically Davao, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo.

The WFP launched last June a year-long climate change adaptation project in Davao City called “Utilizing Upland Micro-Catchment Water Harvesting Technology” in a bid to avoid landslides and develop rainwater impounding for upland agriculture.

Mr. Agrawal said 10 micro-catchment water harvesting systems will be set up in 20 hectares of sloping farms in Davao integrating the sloping agricultural land technology.

Under the scheme, multi-cropping and riverbank development will be used as comprehensive approaches to ensure the protection and management of the upland environmental ecosystem.

“This is a joint activity with the local government and we are now in the preparation and development stage where we identify the priorities as needed by the communities,” he said.

Mr. Agrawal said the climate change adaptation cost may be adjusted to reflect community requirements.

“We can say the project is worth $100 but what if what is needed is really $1,000? Let’s see what the communities really needs and then we will support it,” he said.

LOCAL INITIATIVES
Local efforts are also seen to augment the WFP initiative.

Davao City, which has experienced destructuve floods, is also enhancing its monitoring system.

Pepito S. Capili, Davao City disaster risk reduction management office chief, said seven water measurement equipment have been installed last month through the Department of Science and Technology’s Project Noah.

The equipment were installed along the Suawan River, Tamugan, Davao River, Pangi Bridge, Mintal Bridge, Wangan Bridge and Wangan Bridge.

Also to be installed are two rain gauges in Biao, which contributes to the Pangi water system and Baguio proper.

The city is also constructing a wireless telemetry system and upgrading the installation of cameras in the city’s major bridges which will provide the city’s Disaster Operations Center with an electronic river monitoring system.

In Butuan City, sago palms and other indigenous trees and shrubs will be used to establish a 10-kilometer buffer zone or “ecobelt” along the waterways of the lower Agusan River to cover three flood-prone barangays.

Sago palms are known to withstand intense winds, drought and prolonged flooding.

These plants can also prevent soil erosion with a root system that can contain silt.

TheWFP said it plans to raise the level of awareness in the community on the importance of planting sago palms to combat the ill-effects of climate change in order to ensure the continuity of the initiative.

Cagayan de Oro City, one of the hardest hit cities by tropical storm Sendong (international code name: Washi) in 2011, is also one of the beneficiaries of the climate change adaptation project.

The scheme aims to address concerns on flooding and water supply during drought.

The WFP will also install 80 community-based roof catchment rainwater harvesting units in 40 duplex dwellings. Up to 160 families are set to benefit from the domestic water source to be provided under the project.

The WFP further said it will link with the Ateneo Innovation Center in Iloilo City for the construction of “community-based sustainable solar-powered rainwater harvesting facilities in public locations to improve storage and treatment of rainwater for potable use during periods of excess rain and emergencies.”