Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 25) — The new disaster management agency proposed by President Rodrigo Duterte should focus on prevention and mitigation efforts, said Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) chief Renato Solidum.
In an interview Tuesday, Solidum said he is talking with authorities to level up disaster risk reduction efforts to the department level as the country is prone to natural disasters.
“Maliban sa pag-responde na parati tayong naghahabol ng ganoong mga bagay sa dami ng mga dumarating, kailangan din natin noong mga prevention and mitigation and preparedness efforts. Para mas mababa ang magiging maapektuhan therefore ‘yung pagrespond mas kakaunti na lang din,” Solidum said.
[Translation: Other than response, in which we’re always just trying to catch up after a disaster hits, we need prevention, mitigation and preparedness efforts. If less people are affected, the volume of response would be less.]
The Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study in 2004 stated around 34,000 people could die if a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hits the metropolis. The quake would originate from a possible movement of the 100-kilometer West Valley Fault traversing the metropolis and nearby provinces. Its last major activity was in 1658.
The study was a joint effort of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, PHIVOLCS, and Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Solidum said efforts would be more concentrated if the government puts into law a disaster management department.
“May mga pag-uusap din sa istruktura noong possible department, no, at ito ay matagal nang usapin na nangyayari,” he added.
In his second State of the Nation Address on Monday, the President called on Congress to pass a law creating a new agency that will focus on disaster management in response to the “prevailing 21st century conditions.”
Duterte said the agency or department should deliver an “enhanced disaster resiliency and quick disaster response.”
READ MORE: Duterte wants separate agency on disaster management
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which is under the Department of National Defense, is the agency tasked with handling calamities.
It was created by Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, and is focused on policy-making.
