COTABATO CITY ― A bill that aims to improve disaster preparedness and response in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) passed its first reading in the plenary on Monday afternoon, June 26.
Parliament Bill No. 182, or the Bangsamoro Multi-Hazard Maps and Flood Hazard Maps Act of 2023, seeks to require all barangay and local governments to integrate hazard mappings in all vulnerable territories within the region.
Member of the Parliament Amilbahar Mawallil, the main author of the bill, emphasized the importance of hazard mapping as a proactive mechanism observed in countries prone to natural disasters, highlighting its pivotal role in saving lives during calamities.
The bill mandates all LGUs, down to the barangay level, to conduct community-based briefings, identify hazardous areas, prohibit construction in these zones, and assist the public in preparing for potential impacts.
If enacted, PB No. 182 will facilitate the creation of multi-hazard and flood hazard maps for all vulnerable territories within the Bangsamoro region, which will be facilitated by the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG), through the Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (BARMM READI).
Multi-hazard maps will identify areas that are vulnerable to multiple natural hazards, including earthquakes, floods, landslides, wildfires, and tropical storms. Meanwhile, flood hazard maps will pinpoint areas at risk of flooding due to natural disasters such as storms and heavy rainfall. These maps will also indicate inundation-risk areas and provide basic evacuation information.
To ensure the accuracy of the hazard maps, BARMM LGUs will gather the best available data and information, incorporating historical records, scientific research, and advanced modeling techniques. The BARMM READI will be responsible for making the multi-hazard and flood hazard maps accessible to the public through a user-friendly online portal.
Mawallil stressed the significance of maps in helping LGUs identify, prioritize, and allocate resources to vulnerable populations in high-risk areas, facilitating safe evacuation, rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts.
Upon the enactment of PB No. 182, LGUs will be required to incorporate the multi-hazard and flood hazard maps into their disaster preparedness and mitigation plans. These maps will inform land-use decisions, building codes, and other policies and regulations geared towards minimizing the impact of natural disasters.
Technical assistance and training will be provided to LGUs and other stakeholders to enhance their understanding and utilization of the maps, thereby improving their disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response efforts. LGUs in high-risk areas for natural disasters will receive copies of the maps to aid their planning.
LGUs that demonstrate compliance with the measure and show significant progress in reducing vulnerability to natural disasters will be eligible for incentives and grants. Those LGUs that fail to comply and neglect efforts to reduce vulnerability will have their disaster relief funding withheld by the MILG.
Other authors of the bill are Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., Atty. Fahanie Uy-Oyod, Hashemi Dilangalen, and Hamid Malik.
It is also co-authored by MPs Atty. Laisa Alamia, Engr. Baintan Ampatuan, Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, Atty. Suharto Ambolodto, and Rasul Ismael. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)