by LGOO II Cheenee Mariekeith C. Vehemente

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- “We cannot change the climate, but we definitely can change the way we deal with the climate,” said DILG Regional Director John M. Castañeda, CESO III as he opened the 1st Disaster Preparedness Cluster Meeting which was highlighted by the launching of the Listong Pamayanan and Listong Pamilyang Pilipino. The activity, which was held last June 03, 2016 at Villablanca Hotel, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, was attended by partners from OCD, NIA-MARIIS, PPSC, AFP, DSWD, NEDA, DOST, PNP, BFP, NORTHERN LUZON PAGASA, MGB, PHIL. RED CROSS, PIA, HLURB, Deped, AND PDRRMOs of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.
To drumbeat support and commitment in the implementation of the Operation Listo, Director Castañeda led the partner agencies in the signing of the “Operation Listo Tree”. This was followed by the ceremonial turn-over of the Emergency Balde (E-Balde). Recipients included selected families from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) from Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino, the PDRRMOs and the Provincial Links. The E-Balde contains essential items like medicines, flashlight, batteries, toiletries and other items that are important especially in times of disaster.
After the launching, the meeting of the Disaster Preparedness Cluster ensued. The main agenda discussed was the Oplan Tag-ulan. Different officials from the various partner agencies, including the PDDRMOs of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino were given time to provide an update as to their programs/projects in relation to the upcoming rainy season.
To aptly prepare for the onset of the La Nina, Director Castañeda recommended the convening of RDRRMC to discuss its impending threat and to formulate a Regional La Niña Action Plan.