NDRRMC open to any move to strengthen disaster response system, says spox

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Friday said it supports any move that will strengthen the country's disaster response system, amid proposals for the creation of a new department.

"Lahat ng paraan para mapalakas ang ating disaster management system ay suportado ng NDRRMC," said the council's spokesperson Mark Timbal in an interview on Unang Balita.

He said this could be either by strengthening of the current system or establishing a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDE) as what some lawmakers are proposing.

“Hindi ko naman sinasabing perpekto na ang disaster management system natin but gumagana po ito the best it can be para sa ating mga kababayan,” Timbal said.

“Kung ang nais ng ating Pangulo ay palakasin po ito, buong suporta ang ibibigay ng NDRRMC dito sa pagkilos na ito,” he added.

(I am not saying that our disaster management system is perfect, but it is working the best it can be for our people. If our President wants to strengthen it, the NDRRMC will fully support this move.)

At a situation brieing in quake-hit Abra on Thursday, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. expressed support to the suggestion of his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, that the new disaster response body be just an attached agency under the Office of the President instead of a new department.

Marcos said there is a need for the government to "disabuse" itself of the idea of creating new departments. —KBK, GMA News