Maguindanao CSOs undergo disaster preparedness

KIDAPAWAN CITY – At least 23 civil society organizations (CSOs) from Maguindanao province attended a two-day peace and environment assembly in Cotabato City that ended on Thursday. Dr. Romy Guialel, head of the Maguindanao Network of Organizations (Magneto), said the assembly focused on disaster risk and reduction, local climate change action plan, involvement of CSOs on disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation. Guialel said the assembly was timely because of the current situations in Maguindanao and parts of South and Central Mindanao where flooding, landslides, and other natural calamities occurred due to continuous rain shower and thunderstorms, and denudation of upland valley. The province of Maguindanao serves as catchment area of waters coming from Rio Grande de Mindanao, the country’s second longest river, and from the Liguasan marsh, the country’s largest. Data showed that in Central Mindanao, an average 36,008 families and an annual production loss of P54.4 million had been recorded as a result of natural disasters, particularly flooding. Also, the people of Maguindanao are beset with security problems due to ‘ rido’ or clan wars, government’s massive operations against lawless elements, kidnappings, bombings, and other forms of criminalities. The peoples’ assembly, according to Guialel, was aimed at making all member organizations of Magneto to explore alternatives and approaches that are useful in addressing the impacts of the disasters. Also, it aimed to increase awareness and coordination among NGOs and CSOs on disaster preparedness, prevention and mitigation, response and rehabilitation, and climate change adaptation. The assembly was participated in by at least 23 NGOs and peoples’ organizations from Cotabato City and Maguindanao province.