Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 19) — Congress is eyeing to pass the bill that seeks to create the Department of Disaster Resilience in response to recent calamities faced by the country, including the typhoons that hit in December and Taal Volcano’s eruption this month.
A bill seeking to create the DWR has passed two House panels in November, while the bill creating the DFO is being tackled in plenary.
“Time to roll up our sleeves once again and work double time on vital legislative measures. The Speaker made a clear instruction to pass these bills,” Romualdez said.
All bills that seek to create the DDR, the DWR and DFO are still pending in committees in the Senate.
Congress resumes session on Monday after a four-week break for the holidays. It will go on a break for Holy Week from March 14 to May 3.
President Rodrigo Duterte pushed Congress during his last State of the Nation Address to pass bills creating the three new departments.
The measure is among the top priorities of the House of Representatives and the Senate as Congress returns from a four-week break for the holidays, with the lower chamber targeting its passage before Congress adjourns again on March 13.
“We need to create an agency that is quick-footed, scientific, focused and well-equipped. The creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience will ensure a more efficient, coordinated, and complete system of disaster management–from risk assessment to emergency response right down to reintegration assistance and rehabilitation,” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said Sunday.
A measure seeking the creation of this new department cleared the House Committees on Government Reorganization and on Disaster Management last November 20 and its budget is scheduled to be approved on January 22, House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said Sunday.
Meanwhile, bills that seek to create the new department are still pending in the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation.
The creation of a centralized body that oversees water facilities is also among the priorities of both chambers.
Zubiri said the Senate is set to move on the creation of a Philippine Water Commission, which is pending in its Public Services Committee, while Romualdez said the House eyes to pass a measure creating the Department of Water Resources (DWR) before Congress’ next adjournment.
The House also eyes to pass bills that would create the Department of Filipinos Overseas (DFO) before March 13.
