LEGAZPI CITY – President Duterte agreed to the bill proposing to create a new department named the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), Rep. Joey Salceda said, Salcedo was also appointed by the Congress to finalize the proposed bill for plenary consideration.
He underscored the urgency of creating an agency solely dedicated to concerns on disaster mitigation and response as he worked through at least 43 legislative proposals similar to House Bill 6075 he filed.
The Albay 2nd District representative filed HB 6075 in response to a call made by President Duterte during the 2017 State of the Nation Address (SONA) for lawmakers to craft a law that will establish an agency that will help Filipinos adapt better to extreme weather conditions.
Salceda said the new agency will be “tasked to carry out a continuous, consistent and fortified calamity defense program and ensure the country’s sustainable development and inclusive growth.”
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) currently handles the country’s disaster risk reduction efforts.
But Salceda believes that the country needs the “strategic and systematic approaches to disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and the effective programs on rehabilitation and recover” handled by an agency that has its own mandate.
With reports from: The Philippine Star
Photo credits: philstar.com, inquirer.net
