Immediate passage of Disaster Risk Reduction bill uncertain

Despite repeated calls from several lawmakers, the House of Representatives is still uncertain whether it can pass before the Congress break in mid-October a bill that would enable local governments to be better prepared against calamities. Majority Floor Leader Arthur Defensor Sr. said the bill, which was passed by the Appropriations committee Tuesday, has not been calendared for plenary discussion yet. Congress will adjourn session on October 17, and will only resume November 9. "I'm not sure, but we will try," Defensor said in a phone interview when asked whether the measure can be passed before the break. The Senate has passed its own version of the bill. The House is scheduled to devote the next two weeks to the passage of the proposed 2010 national budget. [See: House to OK proposed 2010 budget next week] Lawmakers intensified calls for the bill's immediate passage following the consecutive onslaughts of tropical storm "Ondoy" and typhoon "Pepeng," which both took lives and caused massive floods in several areas in Luzon. NDRRC Under the disaster management bill, the National Disaster Coordinating Council would be replaced by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Council, which would be an attached agency of the Office of the President. It will also enable local government units to quickly share unused calamity funds when necessary, according to one of its authors, Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III. Earlier in the day, Deputy Minority Leader Satur Ocampo also urged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to certify the bill as urgent. "Government needs to undertake a full range of programs in disaster preparedness, including education, training and organizing that are not being fully addressed under the present set-up," Ocampo said in a statement. The progressive lawmaker said sufficient funds should be set aside for disaster response campaigns, equipment, medicine, shelter, food and other emergency necessities to ensure the swift rescue of victims and the rehabilitation of affected areas. "It is high time to institute an efficient and scientific national disaster risk reduction, management and recovery orientation and framework. Hence the House should fast-track the passage of the bill," Ocampo said. Other lawmakers who have called for the bill's immediate passage include Senator Loren Legarda, Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon, and Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello. - GMANews.TV