maandag 11 mei 2009

Thank You so much!

Thank you very much Jing Munoz of Colonial Grill, Legazpi (Albay district)! You and your crew have helped us SO much with translating the survey into Bikol. And that at the very last minute... Once again this is excellent proof of the friendliness of the people here and the will to help make a change. Yes, we can! 

maandag 4 mei 2009

Interview with Engr. Macario Pavia, Provincial Planning Development Coordinator

What is the influence of disasters on regional planning? 

A regional plan consists of several aspects like a health plan, social welfare, etc. Disaster Risk Reduction fits into the overall plan in a similar way.  


What do you think about the discovered expansion of the city (north and west) as opposed to the south?

It is understandable that people keep on going there, for the existing settlements have been there for a long time. The disaster risk used to be smaller and people tend to accept that risk. Now it is difficult to move the people elsewhere, even if the risk is increasing.  Many of them only live for today and do not think about the future.

The development to the south should be encouraged and it could become part of the provincial plan. One element of the plan is GUICADALE (Guinobatan, Camalig, Daraga, Legazpi). We intend to encourage developments to the south of these cities, supported by an international airport.  


Is this part of the Naga - Legazpi growth corridor in the regional plan submitted by the NEDA (National Economic Development Agency)?

Not really, that plan is a bit outdated. It focussed on linear development along the national hihway. Now we are developing roads perpendicular to that. The GUICADALE area is in the crossroads of the whole Bicol region and could serve as a centre.  


What is the role of Legazpi in all this?

Legazpi should invest in protective constructions. Along the riverbanks for instance. And they should build resettlements before the disasters hit in stead of after. 


Mr. Daep suggested buying potential victims out in stead of spending money on resettlements. What do you think about that strategy?

The first problem is money, where would we get it from? And secondly, what will happen to the vacant lands? If it is owned by the government, you can be sure that squatters will settle there. That has happened to all the other government owned land. The government can’t do anything about it, for it would be to harsh to kick them away and by not addressing the problem, it doesn’t become one. If it would be addressed however, who would have the funds to solve it? 

The squatters do not care if they live on potential hazardous locations. Once again, they only live for today and they are happy if they can get some food and drink. One day they are happy and the next they are sad...that is the way their lives are.