PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go continued his efforts to push for legislation establishing the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) and another bill requiring the construction of mandatory evacuation centers as the country observes National Disaster Resilience Month.
Since natural disasters and calamities are common in the country and the hardships they bring to Filipinos are amplified amid the pandemic, Go maintained that there is a need to improve the county’s approach towards resiliency and adaptability to these recurring natural events.
“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," Go said.
"Therefore, encouraging a culture of proactiveness and adaptability is essential to ensuring Filipinos' readiness and safety in times of crises,” he stressed.
As the nation observes the National Disaster Resilience Month, the senator also emphasized the significance of raising public awareness, disseminating information and educating the general public about a community's disaster preparedness efforts.
Executive Order No. 29 signed by then president Rodrigo Duterte in June 2017 mandates the observance of National Disaster Resilience Month nationwide every July. Activities related to promoting disaster resilience covering prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response and rehabilitation, and recovery are usually conducted during this month-long commemoration.
"We should accept that there is more the government as a whole can do to prepare the public for disasters and educate them about it. Lalo na po sa mga LGUs na pinakaapektado ng pandemya, malapit sa bulkan o palaging tinatamaan ng bagyo o sakuna," Go said.
"This is also one of the reasons why I am pushing for the creation of DDR. Parte ng magiging mandate nito ay ang pag-improve lalo ng information dissemination and in educating the Filipinos better on how to prepare for and respond to such crises," he added.
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, namely: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and building forward better.
Presently, government agencies dealing with disaster risk reduction and management are scattered in several departments and offices and the current lead National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council merely acts as a coordinating body.
“Kailangan na po talaga nating i-scale up ang preparedness and resiliency against disasters. Napapanahon na din na talagang magkaroon ng sariling departamento na nakatutok talaga dito sa mga ganitong pangyayari. Mayroon dapat klarong in-charge sa ganitong mga sitwasyon,” Go previously said.
“Sa pagpapatayo ng departamentong ito, mas magiging mabilis ang pagtugon ng pamahalaan, mas maiibsan ang masamang epekto ng kalamidad at mas mabilis makakabangon ang ating mga kababayan. Kailangan ding magpatayo ng mga safe, permanent at dedicated na mga evacuation centers sa mga piling lugar,” he added.
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.
“(At least) by city or municipality po dapat. Kulang ang by region. Huwag na nating hintayin na magkaroon pa ng mga lindol o baha. Naaantala ang pag-aaral ng mga bata. Minsan nagagamit ang eskwelahan. Panahon na magkaroon na ng permanent evacuation centers, lalung-lalo na po para sa mga apektadong bata,” Go said.
“Dapat may higaan, comfort rooms, ‘yung sanitation maayos, hanggang sa makauwi sila sa kanilang mga pamamahay,” he added.
Go then urged the government to learn from its previous experiences and the COVID-19 pandemic's lessons, noting that it is past time for the country to step up its preparedness and resilience against pandemics and natural catastrophes.
“Huwag na po tayong magsayang ng oras. Huwag na po nating hintayin na may dumating pang matinding kalamidad na tumama sa ating bansa. It is time to scale up our preparedness and resiliency against natural disasters and pandemics," Go reiterated.
Meanwhile, Go continues to provide aid to communities in distress, assuring that public service delivery must remain unhampered especially during crisis situations.
“Tuloy lang po ako sa aking tahimik ngunit walang tigil na pagseserbisyo lalo na sa mga pinakangangailangan at walang ibang matakbuhan,” he committed.
“Kahit anumang sakuna, pupuntahan ko kayo basta kaya ng oras at katawan ko upang tumulong sa abot ng aking makakaya, mapakinggan ang inyong hinaing, mabigyan ng solusyon ang inyong problema, at mag-iwan ng ngiti sa oras ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” Go assured. (OSBG)
