[Governance and Leadership Institute director Dr Dixon Yasay says that cities and municipalities play a key role in taking the lead to protect their constituents where collaboration can improve their initiatives in risk assessment, decision-making, operation, information sharing and communication. Supplied photo.]
By Alain Roy Romero
The Governance and Leadership Institute (GLI) of Xavier University in partnership with the Jesse M Robredo Institute of Governance (JRIG) of De La Salle University recently conducted a workshop on strengthening local governance capacity, and cooperation in disaster risk reduction and management.
GLI director Dr Dixon Yasay shared on the importance of inter-local cooperation among local government units with the local DRRM officers and Local Planning staff from Misamis Oriental LGUs, namely, Opol, Talisayan, Kinoguitan, Balingoan, Salay, Alubijid, Manticao, Initao, Magsaysay and Gingoog City.
“Cities and municipalities, in their individual capacities, can play a key role in taking the initiative to protect their constituents,” said Yasay, adding that “collaboration among these capacitated LGUs can enhance not only the protection of their citizens but also improve their initiatives in risk assessment, decision-making, operation, information sharing and communication.”
Dr Josefino Bascug, MisOr Provincial DRRM head, followed Yasay’s presentation with the present provincial DRRM situation and figures, and related “the successes of the province in terms of preparation and response to disasters.”
The event also gathered recommendations from the participants on how to achieve optimal cooperation among LGUs especially in the communication systems and distribution of resources.
The workshop is part of a two-phase research project identifying capacity development challenges, resource constraints and incentive systems of MisOr LGUs. The project also aims to guide the development of new training modules on LGU alliances in fostering effective DRRM measures and ushering sustainable development.
“The research-workshop findings will be presented during the annual conference of the Local Governance Training and Research Institutes - Philippine Network coordinated by the Local Government Academy,” JRIG director Dr Francisco Magno said during the November 23-24 event held at the Philtown Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.
Renamed in 2012, the JRIG (formerly La Salle Institute of Governance) is a research and training unit based in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) of DLSU which "aims to be a center of excellence in implementing governance research and training in partnership with local and international institutions."