Leyte lawmakers to pass landmark ordinances on first 100 days

TACLOBAN CITY, July 15 (PNA) –- Two legislation on disaster preparedness and management and for economic enterprises, are the among the major target legislation of the Leyte provincial board on its first 100 days.

Leyte Vice Governor Carlo Loreto said the ordinance institutionalizing the involvement of youth is disaster risk management and preparedness is now in its final draft.

Loreto said the ordinance recognizes the participation on the youth in climate change adaptation and other activities related to preparedness and disaster mitigation.

“Young people are often seriously affected when disasters strikes and can face severe difficulties in coping with unexpected and traumatic experience,” Loreto said.

However, he added, the youths cannot be underestimated in their ability to bring about meaningful change and their potential to make a real difference in the time of disasters.

“While the youth are one of the most vulnerable and marginalized sectors in times of calamities, they are also potential and necessary partners in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters,” Loreto said.

If fully passed into law, the youth in disaster in ordinance will provide the youth a representation in the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) in their community.

The ordinance will likewise enjoin city and municipal mayors, village officials and other disaster risk reduction management stakeholders to institutionalize the participation on the youth in climate change adaptation and other activities related to preparedness and disaster mitigation.

Meanwhile, the provincial board is also set to pass a priority legislation on the creation of more viable economic enterprises in the province of Leyte.

This as local government unit continues to look for more diversified sources of local revenue through local economic enterprises.

Loreto said that economic enterprises can provide the needed government investment in order to generate greater local economic development. He added that governments should also invest and provide for viable economic enterprises in order to generate more private sector investments in allied areas.

Loreto cited the Villa Consuelo Farm in Jaro, Leyte which started as a farmer’s organization, which has now grown into a local farm tourism area, attracting tourists and buyers alike.

The local enterprise ordinance will see into the viability and sustainability of local economic enterprises in the province of Leyte. (PNA)

PGL/SQM/Ahlette C. Reyes/egr