Response to emergencies
WITH the worsening of climate change, people believe that Congress should now pass the bill calling for the setting up of the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR).
Besides, impoverished Philippines, which is surrounded by water, is often battered by powerful and destructive typhoons and storms, particularly during the rainy season.
An average of 20 howlers visit the country every year, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA).
Pending consideration in Congress is Senate Bill (SB) No. 188 of Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, chief architect of the “Malasakit Centers” in public hospitals.
Senator Go’s bill seeks the establishment of DDR, which is seen to centralize efforts, streamline coordination and ensure swift and effective response to emergencies.
He added: “Pag-alis nung bagyo, restoration of normalcy at rehabilitation efforts. Huwag puro task force. Panibagong task force tuwing (may) bagong administrasyon.”
Not only that. Senator Go lamented that “paniibago na naman ang mga kakausapin mo.”
The inability of some government agencies to coordinate with other state offices is one of the causes why far-flung communities fail to receive assistance on time.
“Kapag may kalamidad, lalo na sa mga liblib na pook, ay may mga lugar na hindi agad nabibigyan ng tulong dahil sa kawalan ng tamang koordinasyon ang iba-ibang ahensya ng gobyerno,” a village official said.
This is is the reason why there’s now a need to speed up the creation of the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience, according to another barangay executive.
It will be good for the country and the Filipino people, particularly those living in communities often ravaged by destructive typhoons and other natural calamities.
