Bogo City adopts ‘Build Back Better Bogo’ framework after Sept. 30 quake

Following the Sept. 30 magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu, Bogo City has formally adopted a framework for post-disaster recovery, rehabilitation, and long-term resilience building.

This was according to Executive Order 89 signed by Bogo City Mayor Maria Cielo Martinez.

The Sept. 30 earthquake caused extensive damage to houses and infrastructure in Bogo City, the epicenter of the powerful tremor.

“To effectively operationalize ‘Build Back Better’ principle, there is a need to establish dedicated teams that will focus on key sectors, ensure systematic coordination of recovery and rehabilitation activities, and facilitate the efficient implementation of the Build Back Better Bogo (BBBB) initiatives,” the issuance said.

Martinez’s EO 89 declared Bogo City’s policy to rebuild and reconstruct a “stronger, safer, more sustainable, and more inclusive city for present and future generations” following the devastation of the magnitude 6.9 quake.

Bogo City adopted the “Build Back Better Bogo” (BBBB) as its overarching framework for post-disaster recovery, rehabilitation, and long-term resilience building.”

“The program shall embody the principles of safety, sustainability, inclusiveness, transparency, and intergenerational responsibility, ensuring that recovery efforts strengthen the city’s capacity to withstand future earthquakes and serve its people better,” EO 89 said.

It created the Build Back Better Bogo Recovery Structure, which is composed of specialized teams that shall lead, coordinate, and monitor Bogo City’s recovery and rehabilitation efforts.

In a statement, the Bogo City government explained that with the specific teams addressing specific concerns, they can “make sure and strive that the sectors of the community, will be well represented, for our development, no sector will be left behind.”

The specific teams will handle:

• Housing and settlement recovery
• Livelihood and business development
• Agriculture and fisheries recovery
• Infrastructure rehabilitation and reconstruction
• Mental health and psychological support
• Risk identification, mapping, and rezoning
• Asset accountability and disposal
• Education recovery
• Health, social protection, and public safety
• Financial management and acountability, and
• Communication and stakeholder engagement.

Martinez will lead the steering team while a secretariat will assist all teams in its rebuilding and recovery efforts.

The magnitude 6.9 earthquake caused Cebu to be placed under a state of calamity due to the massive destruction of property and loss of life, with the death toll at 79 fatalities. — JMA, GMA Integrated News