By Wilson J Hormeguera

Xavier University -Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (XU-DRRM) team conducted “#ZeroCasualty - The BDRRM Project Evaluation Conference” on January 31 at the Southeast Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute (SEARSOLIN) in the Manresa Farm Complex.

The XU-DRRM team targeted to capacitate officials from 45 disaster-prone barangays of Cagayan de Oro City to help them with the finalization of an effective and community-crafted DRRM plan. The faculty and staff under the Research and Social Outreach cluster of XU served as their BDRRM coaches.

The activity was aimed at highlighting the steps of BDRRM planning, identifying gaps and challenges of the process, and ways to sustain the community engagement.

XU vice-president for RSO Dr Hilly Ann Roa-Quiaoit welcomed the participants and highlighted XU’s greater societal engagement in five thematic areas: Food Security, Environment, Health and Sanitation, Governance, and Peace.

CDO Association of Barangay Chairmen (CDOABC) president Yan Lam S Lim expressed his thanks to XU for its efforts in guiding the barangays with their BDRRM plans.

The conference also showcased the best practices of Brgy Sipitan-Badiang of the Municipality of Guimbal in Iloilo, recognized as the 2011 National Awardee on Best BDRRM.

Brgy Sipitan-Badiang chairman Agustin Nepuncio presented their community’s efforts: “Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Capability: From Mitigation and Prevention to Preparedness to Response to Recovery and Rehabilitation.”

XU - Governance and Leadership Institute director Dr Dixon Yasay, during his synthesis, emphasized the crucial role of good governance in the barangays where we must share the common vision of building a “climate change-resilient Mindanao."