WB sets actual assessment on the implementation of disaster preparedness in SoLeyte

WB sets actual assessment on the implementation of disaster preparedness in SoLeyte
By R.G. Cadavo
Philippine Information Agency
May 26, 2011

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, May 26 (PIA)--The World Bank (WB) is scheduled to visit Southern Leyte to conduct actual ocular inspection and assessment of the programs implemented under the "Strengthening Dsiaster Preparedness of Southern Leyte thru SMS Technology” project.

Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Project Manager Jason C. Calva based here reported that senior official from the World Bank, Mr. Christopher Pablo will be coming over on June 1-2, this year to monitor the programs suchs as the Smart Infoboard operations, the information, education and communication (IEC) undertakings, the contingency plans and activities and the strengthening of the Provincial Disaster Management Office of the province.

The project which was inked through a Memorandum of Agreement between the Smart Communications, the PBSP, the World Bank as the financing partner and the provincial governement started last September 14, 2010.

Calva requested the members of Associated Media of Southern Leyte to organize a press conference during the dinner with Mr. Pablo with the presence of Gov. Damian G. Mercado at Kinamot Sa Abgao on the evening of June 1.

The WB senior official is also expected to have a consultation with the disaster risk reduction Action Officers, Smart Communications and the PBSP.

It was learned that the project “Strengthening Disaster Preparedness of Southern Leyte thru SMS Technology” aims to reduce the socio-economic vulnerabilities to disaster and dealing with the environmental and other hazards.

The province of Southern Leyte is a recipient of the state of the art disaster monitoring system in Asia-Pacific region with ten pilot municipalities, namely Maasin City, Malitbog, Tomas Oppus, Anahawan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, San Ricardo, Lilo-an, Libagon and Hinunangan.