The warning of experts on abnormal heavy rainfalls, massive floods, an earthquake similar to the one that hit Haiti, that might occur in the country in the near future prompted the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila to firm up plans to reduce disaster risks in the metropolis.

During the “Forum on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management in Land Use Planning in Metro Manila,” initiated by the MMDA and participated in by LGU key officials and officials from the Mines and Geoscience Bureau, Manila Observatory and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), it was urged that LGUs must set in place their own disaster mitigation plans to be able to prepare for natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, landslides and mud flow.

Experts warned that abnormal heavy rainfalls and massive floods, including the one that typhoon “Ondoy” brought in the country on Sept. 26, 2009, and an earthquake similar to the one that hit Haiti, will most likely occur in the country in the near future.

Dr. Gemma T. Narisma of the Manila Observatory, said preparation should be set in place to mitigate the risk in populous areas of Metro Manila.

Narisma, who said climate change has indeed set in as shown by the extreme weather events that have happened in the recent past, is urging the MMDA and LGUs to prepare for disastrous flood which, according to trend, is going to occur more often in the course of global climate change.