The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) XII, on Friday, July 29, 2016 conducted the Regional Flood Summit at the Phela Grande Convention Center, National Highway, General Santos City.

Attended by more than four hundred participants, the Summit was graced by Hon. Steve Chiongbian Solon, the Provincial Governor of the province of Sarangani. Gov. Solon shared the best practices of the Province in its DRR implementation which led to the efficient utilization of its resources in response and other DRR activities. Among the especially mentioned practices were the institutionalization of its SAR 117, a hotline connecting all the LGUs in the Province and the implementation of Project Galileo to track the proximity of its government vehicles to areas needing emergency assistance.

Other highlights of the Summit included the presentation of the DENR-MGB’s 1:10,000 Geohazard Maps, Project NOAH, Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment, Operation Listo, Response Capacity and the Seal of Good Local Governance. A Press Conference was also conducted alongside with the Summit to clarify issues and concerns by the Media.

Participants were some Local Chief Executives (LCEs), Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (LDRRMOs), Local Planning and Development Coordinators (LPDCs) and Chapter Presidents of the Liga ng mga Barangay coming from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs) of the four (4) provinces, five (5) cities and forty-five (45) municipalities of the Region and members of the RDRRMC XII. Also present were the Division Chiefs, Provincial/City Directors, City/Municipal Local Government Operations Officers, and Provincial DRR Focal Persons of the DILG XII.

Dir. Reynaldo M. Bungubung, CESO IV, Regional Director of DILG XII gave the Opening Remarks stressing the challenges to address, prevent, if not, lessen the possible impacts of flood at the onset of the Rainy Season and the developing La Niña.