Senators vow to prioritize bill creating department for disaster resiliency

Senators expressed belief Thursday that it is now time to prioritize bills seeking to create a department for disaster resiliency and emergency management to strengthen the country’s disaster risk reduction and management efforts.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said creating a Department of Disaster Preparedness is urgently needed.

“We need a department and a set of public servants who will develop expertise in preparing for and responding to calamities both natural and man-made,” Pimentel said in a text message to GMA News Online when asked on the matter.

Senator Joel Villanueva said reviewing the laws when it comes to issues such as disaster preparedness in the least that the lawmakers can do.

“More importantly, I think we need to heighten the awareness of people when it comes to responding to disasters. Informed citizens can better respond to emergency situations,” he added.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said he supports efforts to improve the disaster preparedness and resilience of the country.

He said he filed a bill establishing the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) which includes the construction of safe and permanent evacuation centers in disaster-prone areas nationwide.

Aside from Go’s bill, seven more measures have been filed in the Senate for the purpose.

Senator Imee Marcos said it is high time to prioritize measures strengthening the country’s disaster risk reduction and management efforts and create an agency solely and permanently focused on Disaster Resilience and Emergency Management.

“Kelan tayo kikilos at magtatatag ng disaster agency o department? Lumilindol nang walang tigil ang Mindanao, 6th anniversary ng Yolanda, let’s do something please!” she said.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, meanwhile, is pushing for Department of Public Safety (DPS) in every province, city and municipality, providing a fully functional emergency response and traffic management system under Senate Bill 239.

He said the creation of DPS will further enhance the local government units’ capability to effectively and respond timely to the constituents’ needs and meet the demand for greater safety and security, better local traffic management and enhanced disaster preparedness and response.

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit parts of Mindanao Thursday morning. This happened two days after a 6.6 magnitude tremor earthquake shook the region and weeks after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake also hit the southern part of the country. 

At least 13 people have died from the earthquakes that hit parts of Mindanao. — RSJ, GMA News