Bong Go pushes for establishment of Department of Disaster Resilience, mandatory evacuation centers

The country's vulnerability to natural disasters became more evident during the recent onslaught of Super Typhoon Egay, which left extensive damage and claimed 52 lives. 

In line with this, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go stressed the crucial need for the establishment of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) and mandatory evacuation centers nationwide to effectively address disaster-related issues.

"Alam n'yo, wala pong katapusan itong disaster; nasa Pacific ring of fire tayo, talagang prone tayo sa bagyo, prone tayo sa pagbaha,” Go said in an interview on August 2, Wednesday, after providing assistance to poor residents in Caloocan City.

Go previously filed Senate Bill No. 193, which mandates the establishment of mandatory evacuation centers throughout the country.

"Napapanahon na para magkaroon tayo ng mandatory evacuation centers. Maayos at malinis na evacuation center kung saan po'y magiging kumportable po ang mga kababayan natin na makapagpahinga ‘pag nabahaan sila, nasunugan sila,” he said.

Currently, makeshift evacuation centers such as basketball courts, covered courts and sometimes schools are commonly used and repurposed as temporary shelters. This situation often disrupts the education of children and compromises the overall welfare of evacuees.

Go is also pushing for SBN 188, which will mandate the creation of the DDR, a cabinet secretary-level department responsible for coordinating with various agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Energy, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology, among others.

"Tingnan n'yo po ang nangyari sa Cagayan Valley, missing po ‘yung apat na coast guard... Dapat po'y mayroon talagang maayos na departamento na maayos ang coordination at pag-alis ng bagyo, restoration of normalcy, at rehabilitation effort,” he said.

"'Yung secretary na ‘yon, ‘yun po ‘yung maiiwan sa lugar na ‘yon, hindi siya aalis, tawagin niya lahat ng mga staff niya para makipag-coordinate sa different departments," he added.

The DDR centralizes efforts, streamlines coordination, and ensures more swift and effective response to emergencies.

“Dapat na may nakatutok talaga na may awtoridad at malinaw na mandato. Hindi na puwedeng laging task force na lang dahil temporary lang ito at nawawala ang continuity kapag nagpalit na ng administrasyon. Mahirap din kung mananatiling coordinating council lang ang mamamahala sa ganitong sitwasyon dahil sa kakulangan ng kapangyarihan nito,” Go earlier explained. 

“Dapat ay departamento sana na may Cabinet-level na kalihim na in-charge para may kapangyarihan at kakayahang i-mobilize ang buong gobyerno kapag kinakailangan. Magkakaroon siya ng personalidad na diretsong isasangguni sa ibang departamento ang pangangailangan ng mga taong apektado ng krisis,” he added. 

The proposed measure includes several critical provisions, including a database for all relevant disaster risk reduction and climate change information; a one-stop shop to guarantee timely delivery of assistance to disaster-stricken areas; a National Disaster Operations Center and Alternative Command and Control Centers to monitor, manage, and respond to disasters; and a Disaster Resilience Research and Training Institute to offer training and manage information to improve the country's resilience.

Furthermore, the measure provides remedial actions such as the imposition of a price ceiling on basic necessities, programming of funds for public infrastructure repair, and granting of no-interest loans to vulnerable groups during calamities.

The Office of Civil Defense has recently voiced its support for the establishment of the DDR, emphasizing the importance of such institution in improving operations in managing and responding to future crises.

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