QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- In a comprehensive presentation during the POST-SONA briefing on Wednesday (July 26) Cabinet Secretaries from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of National Defense (DND) highlighted their respective agencies' initiatives and collaborations aimed at enhancing disaster resilience and response in the Philippines, emphasizing right coordination.

Known for his strategic approach to challenges, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. emphasized the importance of knowing the enemy, knowing oneself, and planning ahead for natural disasters. He quoted the famous passage from Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" to illustrate the significance of understanding hazards and risks.

“What this would mean is that we need to know the hazards that will be experienced in all places in the Philippines, when will this happen, and most importantly, how will this impact the people, the communities, the structures, the buildings, the businesses, the agriculture, the environment, and so on and so forth,” Secretary Solidum said.

Secretary Solidum introduced the Geo-Risk Philippines initiative, which provides a platform to access information on various hazards and risk assessments in real-time. He also showcased innovative applications like Hazard Hunter PH, Geoanalytics PH, and Geo-Mapper, designed to aid planners and government agencies in disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. The secretary also announced the Handa Pilipinas exhibition, a nationwide caravan displaying Filipino experts' technological contributions to urban risk management.

Focused on immediate relief and humanitarian efforts, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian explained the Buong Bansa Handa program. The program aims to ensure a prompt response to disasters by establishing two supply chain lines—one government-driven and the other private sector-driven. Through pre-positioning goods and partnering with private companies, the DSWD aims to be omnipresent in disaster-prone areas, thereby providing timely assistance to affected communities.

“The goal there is to be omnipresent so to speak, making our people, most especially the victims, feel that government is there, in fact ahead during and right after a storm or a natural calamity,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

The secretary also gave emphasis to the importance of collaboration between the government and the private sector in efficiently delivering relief packs to the farthest corners of the country.