Republic of the Philippines

MUNICIPALITY OF VIRAC
Catanduanes

Office of the
Mayor
September 8, 2022

USEC. MARLO L. IRINGAN, CESO III

Undersecretary for Local Government
DILG

Dear USEC. Iringan:

There has been a corresponding development and evolution of information and knowledge management
systems in the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) domains at the
global, regional, national, and community levels. Over the years, the domain of the DRR has evolved
significantly and has emerged as a topic of public interest and importance. The global dialogues around
CCA are also closely linked to DRR.

In the Philippines, the Bicol Region is one of the most disaster-prone areas and high-risk environment due
to its geophysical location. The natural hazards in our region, mainly storms and floods, put the lives of
people in vulnerable households at risk. Virac Catanduanes is one of the lesser developed municipalities in
the Philippines which is exposed to super typhoons, floods, landslides and other natural hazards that have
adversely affected its people and socio-economic development. The municipality has limited capacity to
prepare for the effects of climate change and other hazard-induced disasters. To achieve a sustainable
program of development, our municipality is in dire need of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
DRRM and Climate Change Adaptations (CCA) knowledge and strategies that can anticipate and prepare
for catastrophes.

About a month ago we had the opportunity to get connected with Mr. Emmanuel Torrente who was born
and raised in Catanduanes. In the course of our communications on the development challenges of Virac,
he mentioned that he worked with a team of consultants that drafted the project preparatory study for the
French Development Agency (AFD) loan with a capacity development grant to be managed under your
Office. He advised us that our municipality can request your good office to include and prioritize Virac in
advancing its capacity to deal with natural hazards.

In view of this, we earnestly request your office to include the Municipality of Virac in the list of priority
LGUs for DRRM/CCA training programs. We understand that these trainings are free to LGUs as part of
the support to devolution under the Mandanas ruling. As the new Mayor of Virac, I am determined to
reduce, if not eliminate, the adverse impact of hazard-induced disasters to the people and economy of the
municipality. If Virac will be included in the list of priority LGUs on DRR/CCA capacity building, the Office of
the Mayor can immediately organize and mobilize its human resources to prepare for the pertinent
activities. Just please inform us.

We are hoping for your kind consideration of this request.

Thank you and best regards.

Respectfully yours,

SAMUEL V. LAYNES
Municipal Mayor

Telefax No. (052)811-7950 – 2nd Floor New Municipal Bldg. LGU-Virac Compound, Virac, Catanduanes
E-mail Address lgu_virac2010@yahoo.com
 Republic of the Philippines
MUNICIPALITY OF VIRAC
Catanduanes

Office of the
Mayor

MDRRMO MDRRMC
Municipal Disaster Risk Municipal Disaster Risk and BDRRMC
Reduction and Management Management Council (ICSEC) Barangay Disaster Risk
Office Personnel Reduction and management
Training Course (CBDRRM)
1. Incident Command System 1. Incident Command System 1. Community- Based Disaster
Laderized Training Course: Executive Training Course Risk Reduction and
 Level 1-BICS (Basic (ICSEC) management Training
Incident Command 2. Public Service Continuity Course (CBDRRM)
System) Planning Course (PCSP) 2. Emergency Operations
 Level 2- Integrated 3. Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
Planning Course Center Executive Course 3. Contingency Planning (CP)
 Level 3- Position Course (EOCEC) Disaster Risk Basic Incident Command
 Level 4- AHIMT (All- Reduction and Management System (BICS)
Hazard Incident Course for Local DRRM
Management Training) Council bs (DRRMLDRRMC)
 Level 5- Trainors
Training for CADRE
2. Water Search and Rescue
Training (WASAR)
3. Water and Sanitation
(WATSAN)
4. Water and Sanitation
Hygiene (WASH)
5. Emergency Operations
Center (EOC)
6. Rope Rescue Technician
Training (RRT)
7. Emergency Medical
Technician (EMT)
8. Rapid Damage Assessment
and Needs Analysis Training
Course (RDANA)
9. Post-Disaster Needs
Assessment Training Course
(PDNA)
10. Rapid Earthquake Damage
Assessment System
(REDAS)
11. DRRM Data Base Creation/
Information System
Management
12. Public Service Continuity
Planning Course (PSCP)
13. Climate and Disaster Risk
Assessment (CDRA)
14. Training on Management of
the Dead and the Missing
15. Hazard Mapping using QGIS
16. Collapse Structure Training
17. Training Orientation on the
Disaster Preparedness
Manual on Localized
Weather Disturbance

Telefax No. (052)811-7950 – 2nd Floor New Municipal Bldg. LGU-Virac Compound, Virac, Catanduanes
E-mail Address lgu_virac2010@yahoo.com
 Republic of the Philippines
MUNICIPALITY OF VIRAC
Catanduanes

Office of the
Mayor
18. Local Climate Change Action
Plan (LCCAP)

Thank you and more power.

SAMUEL V LAYNES
Municipal Mayor

Telefax No. (052)811-7950 – 2nd Floor New Municipal Bldg. LGU-Virac Compound, Virac, Catanduanes
E-mail Address lgu_virac2010@yahoo.com