Marcos eyes review of SOPs ahead of disasters

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Friday said there was a need to review the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to create a coordinated approach when warnings are issued ahead of natural disasters.

“I think we have to review our SOPs when there’s a warning. So what do we immediately do when the alert is given to us? How do we preposition the things that we will need?” Marcos said at a Cabinet meeting.

According to the President, the government should preposition satellite phones, generators, and water once an alert has been issued.

“As we know, the very first thing that we have to deal with is really communication, to find out what’s going on where, and then doon na tayo makapag-assess, saan natin uunahin (then we can assess what we need to prioritize),” Marcos said.

“Ang experience ko (My experience is), the first thing you have to do is communicate with the local government official,” he added.

Further, Marcos also highlighted the need for airlift assets during disaster response. He mentioned the importance of engineers who can help in clearing operations and building temporary structures.

“[Dapat nandyan ‘yung] mga tropa natin na gagamitin natin na makakapasok to clear,” Marcos said.

(Our troops should be there for clearing operations.)

Marcos earlier said the reinstitution of the mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps program for senior high school students would help improve the country’s capability in dealing with disasters. —NB, GMA News