On the last day of the Philippine League of Secretaries to the Sanggunian (PLEASES) Cebu Inc. 3-Day Seminar-Workshop—”Strengthening the Capacity and Capability of Local Legislative Staff and Barangay Officials: Redefining Proactive Service Delivery Towards Sustainability and Responsive Good Governance”—held recently at the Summit Galleria Hotel, vital facilitators of the legislative process turned their attention to science and public safety. One highlight was a detailed talk by Supervising Geologist Maria Elena S. Lupo of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region VII, titled “Understanding Geologic Hazards: Rain-Induced Landslides and Floods.”
Ms. Lupo shared important information about the risks faced by disaster-prone communities. Delegates from Cebu Province agreed that awareness of geohazards is vital to public safety. She recommended mapping and monitoring hazard areas with up-to-date data, using hazard maps in zoning and land-use plans, and backing disaster risk reduction budgets with technical reports. These actions help secretaries to apply scientific findings to local legislation and safety measures.
“When local leaders use science as their guide, we don’t just prepare for disasters; we build safer, stronger communities. The information we share today empowers every LGU to turn knowledge into action,” said Ms. Lupo.
Aligning Science with “Responsive Good Governance”
Providing access to scientific data helps Local Government Units (LGUs) draft ordinances grounded in evidence. By identifying the areas most at risk, secretaries can help councils draft Zoning Ordinances and Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) that limit development in hazardous areas. This way, local laws are both defensible and based on real geologic conditions.
Ms. Lupo’s knowledge also helps with quick disaster response. When red zones are identified, secretaries can better assist the Sanggunian in drafting urgent resolutions, such as early disaster response measures or the establishment of permanent evacuation centers. Understanding MGB findings is important for justifying budgets. To use the 5% Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF), secretaries must provide legislative documents backed by scientific evidence and link technical reports to administrative needs.
The presentation took place on April 29 at the Summit Galleria, Cebu City.
About PLEASES: The Philippine League of Secretaries to the Sanggunian (PLEASES), Inc. is the professional group for secretaries of local legislative councils at the provincial, city, and municipal levels. As official keepers of local laws, they give the technical and administrative support needed to draft ordinances and resolutions that are the basis of local governance in the Philippines. Through events like the 3-Day Seminar-Workshop on “Strengthening the Capacity and Capability of Local Legislative Staff and Barangay Officials,” PLEASES Cebu Inc. continues to champion proactive service delivery, sustainability, and responsive good governance.
