Among the bills filed to improve the disaster preparedness planning of the government is one by Deputy Minority Floor Leader Teofisto “TG” Guingona 3rd.

The Manila Times hopes the most important points in Rep. Guingona’s bill are included in the consolidated bill titled “Philippine Disaster Risk Management Act of 2008.”

He delivered on October 1 a privileged speech calling for the immediate passage of his Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) bill, which will strengthen the capacity of communities and local government units to prepare for and respond to disasters.

Rep. Guingona said that while relief and rehabilitation efforts are important, we should put more emphasis on community preparedness and education on disasters.

“The people should know what to do if and when a disaster strikes. Those communities who are unprepared for disasters are likely to be the most affected and devastated. Most of the communities affected by Typhoon Ondoy have not experienced flooding of this magnitude before and thus they were caught unprepared,” he said.

“The devastation brought by Typhoon Ondoy resulting in tremendous loss of lives and property could have been prevented or at least mitigated if we had been prepared for it. We have seen that not only disaster-prone communities are affected. Therefore, all communities must be prepared for any disaster at all times,” Guingona said.

“Since many communities were affected, the resources of the national government was overwhelmed.
The DRRM addresses this problem by mandating a comprehensive disaster management plan from national down to the barangay level. The plan includes not just relief and rehabilitation, but most importantly, education and preparedness,” Guingona said.

“The bill seeks to cultivate a culture of preparedness by integrating DRRM into the mindset of each and every Filipino through proper education. We cannot always anticipate disasters but we can always be prepared for them,” Guingona said.

“The rains last Saturday have certified the DRRM bill as urgent. The DRRM bill seeks to institutionalize disaster preparedness in all levels of government and Philippine society, beginning with those on the front lines of any disaster—the communities themselves,” Guingona said.

Several congressmen expressed their support for the DRRM bill and stressed its urgency. They agreed with Guingona that the DRRM, if passed into law, should be given sufficient budget to ensure its proper implementation.

“The bill seeks to reduce the loss of life and property to disasters through forward planning and to hasten the rehabilitation of those adversely affected through sustained action,” Guingona added.

UNDP Country Director for the Philippines Renaud Meyer told The Times that the educational program, such as Rep. Guingona mentioned, is ready for implementation. UNDP has in fact helped various local governments that are willing to hold preparedness seminars and exercises.
Floyd Tiongson and Jomar Canlas