Palace assures UN that disaster risk reduction is a priority

Malacañang on Sunday assured the United Nations it is making disaster risk reduction a government priority since the country is prone to the effects of climate change.

In a radio interview, Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said proof of the Aquino administration’s high regard for disaster risk reduction is its factoring in climate change in the creation of the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan and the establishment of a dedicated climate change cluster within the Cabinet.

“[S]a loob po ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Aquino ay nakapaglatag na po tayo ng pambansang istratehiya para harapin ang mga hamon ng climate change adaptation at mitigation, at ito po ‘yung pinanggagalingan ng mga programa sa disaster risk reduction at management ng ating bansa,” he said.

Following the enactment of Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, Coloma said local government units have become more proactive in mitigating disasters.

“Dati po kasi ang nagsasagawa nito ay ‘yung Office of Civil Defense ng Department of National Defense. Ayon po sa batas, dapat ay mayroong pambansa, pang-rehiyon, panlalawigan, panlungsod at pambayang disaster risk reduction and management councils. Kaya simula po sa pinakamataas na antas sa national level, bumababa ito sa bawat isang rehiyon, bawat isa sa 82 lalawigan, at bawat isa sa mahigit sa 1,600 na munisipalidad, bukod pa po sa mga siyudad o ‘yung mga chartered cities ng ating bansa,” he said.

One of the salient provisions of the law is the designation of local executives in the area where a disaster is seen to strike as first responders to emergencies. They are also responsible for ensuring their location is disaster-resilient.

According to Coloma, Congress is set to review the implementation of RA 10121 this year in accordance with the so-called "sunset provision" in the law.

Under Section 27 of the law, a Congressional oversight committee will conduct a systematic evaluation of the accomplishments and impact of the legislation, as well as the performance and organizational structure of its implementing agencies, for purposes of determining remedial legislation.

Over the weekend, UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction head and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Disaster Risk Reduction Margareta Walstrom warned that climate change, combined with poverty and exposed infrastructure and housing, may result in a “significant increase” in economic losses for disaster-prone countries, especially in the Pacific.

“Unless disaster risk is reduced these countries will struggle to meet the development needs of their people,” she said. — Xianne Arcangel/BM, GMA News