NDRRMC: Marcos admin pushes whole-of-nation approach to community level for disaster response

The Marcos administration is bringing its whole-of-nation approach to the community-level in a bid to strengthen the country's disaster response, Defense Secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Chairperson Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Tuesday.

Teodoro made the remarks during the first day of the post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in San Juan City.

During the forum, Teodoro  said the public reaction to calamities shows the need for disaster risk reduction efforts to be able to adapt to different situations.

He underscored the importance of localizing the whole-of-government approach as different areas in the country experience different kinds of natural calamities.

"'Ito ay kumbaga sa national government, whole-of-government approach, ibababa natin sa community," he said.

"Kasi ang ating mga komunidad, dahil tayo'y kapuluan, iba't ibang klase ang mga hamon sa kalikasan na hinaharap nila. Ang iba tinatamaan ng bulkan, ang iba binabaha, ang iba storm surge, ang iba vulnerable sa lindol," said Teodoro.

(As per the national government, the whole-of-government approach will be adapted to the community.

This is due to our different communities, since we are islands, we face many natural challenges. There is the threat of volcanoes, floods, storm surges, and earthquakes.)

The national government is also mapping the vulnerabilities of all parts of the country down to the barangay levels, he added.

Last week, Marcos said the successive weather systems affecting the country is the "new normal". He also stressed that the public must already plan to adapt as tropical cyclones could not be prevented. 

"This is not an extraordinary situation anymore. Do not think of it as a special situation, this is... I hate to use the overused phrase but this is the new normal. Ganito na talaga ang buhay natin kahit ano pa ang gawin natin,'' the President said. 

For his part, Teodoro said the NDDRMC is coordinating with local government units (LGUs) and other government agencies including the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to deliver services to the public. 

"Ito talaga ang whole of government approach sa pangunguna mismo ng ating Pangulo na lahat kami ay tumutugon sa isang pahina upang sa ganun si Juan dela Cruz, si Juana dela Cruz ay kaagad masasagip, maliligtas ang buhay," he said.

(This whole of government approach, as led by our President, means we are all on the same page so we can rescue and save the lives of Juan dela Cruz and Juana dela Cruz.)

"Pangalawa, kung lumikas man sila sa ibang lugar ay ayos ang kalagayan at kalusugan nila, lalo na ang mga kabataan at sanggol," he added. 

(Second, in case they need to evacuate, we want them to be safe and healthy, especially the young children.) — RF, GMA Integrated News