Lapid seeks creation of National Emergency Stockpile

Senator Manuel “Lito" Lapid filed a bill which would create a National Emergency Stockpile – a central repository and supply reserve of food items, medicines, vaccines, tents, beds, blankets, and other emergency-related articles, facilities, and equipment which would reduce the country’s vulnerability to unforeseeable production and supply-chain disruptions during emergencies and disasters.

“Responsibilidad ng ating gobyerno na pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan lalo sa gitna ng kalamidad at mga emergency, at magagawa lamang iyan kung may sapat tayong supply ng gamot, pagkain at basic commodities,” said Lapid in a Saturday statement.

“Layunin ng aking isinusulong na panukala na maiwasan na umasa ang ating bansa tuwing may kalamidad, sa supply na magmumula sa ibang bansa na pihadong mahal ang presyo at malamang pa ay hindi rin sapat para tugunan ang ating pangangailangan.”

The stockpile's use would be limited to instances of national or local states of calamity or emergency and with prior approval of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The actual location of the stockpile would be kept strictly confidential and not be publicly disseminated.

The bill also provides for the monitoring of the quantity, volume, and the dates of expiration and shelf lives of the items and materials included in the stockpile.

To avoid wastage and decay, items that will be near their expiration dates will be donated and transferred to appropriate government agencies and institutions such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), government hospitals and local government units. — DVM, GMA News