SEN. Christopher Go continues to push for the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) and another bill mandating the construction of evacuation centers as the country observes National Disaster Month this July.
“Given the frequency of natural calamities like typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that hit and harm us every year, it is about time we properly acknowledge that our nation is particularly vulnerable to foreboding disasters. Therefore, encouraging a culture of proactiveness and adaptability is essential to ensuring Filipinos’ readiness and safety in times of crises,” Go said.
Go reintroduced in the 19th Congress his proposed Department of Disaster Resilience Act which seeks to create an empowered, highly-specialized and responsive DDR that will provide clear unity of command and will be primarily responsible in ensuring safe, adaptive and disaster-resilient communities.
The department shall concentrate on three key result areas — disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and building forward better.
At present, government agencies dealing with disaster risk reduction and management are scattered in several departments and offices and the current lead, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, merely acts as a coordinating body.
Aside from the DDR bill, Go also refiled the Mandatory Evacuation Center Bill, which will require every province, city, and municipality to construct such centers that will be equipped with emergency packs, medicines, and other basic necessities.
Go urged the government to learn from its previous experiences and the COVID-19 pandemic’s lessons, noting the country needs to step up its preparedness and resilience against pandemics and natural catastrophes.
“Let us not waste time. Let us not wait for calamities to hit the country. It is time to scale up our preparedness and resiliency against natural disasters and pandemics,” Go said.
