To help Filipinos deal with disasters from climate change, A ranking official of the House of Representatives has revived efforts to create a Department of Disaster Resilience.
International credit rating agency Moody’s pointed out that not only is the Philippines situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire and within the Typhoon Belt, its labor force in the agriculture sector is also vulnerable to climate-related shocks.
House Bill 398 authored by Deputy Speaker LRay Villafuerte will be tasked to oversee and coordinate the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of disaster and climate resilience plans, programs, projects, and activities; Eliminating redundant bureaucratic processes that may result in delays, confusion, and diluted accountability.
The proposal seeks to integrate the Climate Change Commission, National Disaster Risk Reduction, People’s Survival Fund, Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation Efforts, and the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery under the DDR.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) will be attached to the DDR under the Villafuerte bill.
According to the Camarines Sur congressman, “The DDR will help ensure that the country is on top of all climate change developments with residents who are safe and ready before, during and after the occurrence of a natural disaster.”
