The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) recently launched a series of workshops to update its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (DRRMP) and align it with the national disaster framework.
The two-day workshop, facilitated by the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), marks SRA as the first government-owned and controlled corporation to begin work on a five-year disaster preparedness plan.
“While we already have a comprehensive DRRM plan, it’s vital to integrate new data and technologies so we can optimize resources and enhance our impact,” said SRA board member and DRRMP chairperson David Sanson.
The workshop served as a critical step toward crafting a Sugar Board-approved DRRMP to strengthen the resilience of both SRA and the sugar industry.
It also equips frontline personnel to better respond during emergencies and lead recovery efforts.
Sanson acknowledged previous gaps in the implementation of the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SIDA), noting that with a well-executed plan and adequate funding, the agency could have addressed or mitigated disasters like last year’s severe drought.
He said the recent and ongoing challenges, including floods, pest infestations, the prolonged El Niño, and the looming threat of Mt. Kanlaon’s volcanic activity, will all be considered in the updated plan.
“Now is the time to put our plans and budgets into motion so we can deliver meaningful disaster responses and focus on long-term prevention and mitigation,” he said.