Quake underscores need for disaster resilience

Several lawmakers pressed on Thursday the immediate passage of a law establishing a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) as Filipinos in northern Luzon grappled with the effects of a magnitude 7 earthquake Wednesday morning.

As envisioned in a number of bills filed in the previous Congress and in measures filed recently, a DDR will coordinate and better manage the country’s disaster preparedness, response and rehabilitation efforts.

One such measure, House Bill (HB) 452, seeks to establish an “empowered, highly specialized, science and information and communications technology-based, fast and responsive DDR, with a clear unity of command, primarily responsible for ensuring safe, adaptive and disaster-resilient communities.”

HB 452 was filed by Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, Quezon City Rep. Ralph Tulfo, ACT-CIS Partylist Reps. Edvic Yap, Jocelyn Tulfo and Jeffrey Soriano.

According to Duterte, the DDR, in collaboration with relevant government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, academic groups, and other stakeholders, will manage and direct the implementation of national, local, and community-based disaster resilience and disaster management programs, projects, and activities.

“We should emphasize the science-based aspect of this proposal. With the Philippines among the countries most vulnerable to the destructive effects of climate change, science and technology should play a key role in helping us prepare for possible disasters,” he said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported at least five dead and over 130 injured in the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Abra and Vigan hardest Wednesday.

The bill also called for the creation of the Disaster Resilience Research and Training Institute (DRRTI), the Alternative Command and Control Centers in the regions, and the National Disaster Operations Center.

Duterte said that the DRRTI would help develop a highly qualified corps of officers who will be in charge of risk analysis, multi-hazard mapping, and the creation of a database containing pertinent data from other governmental agencies.