Senate inquiry on PHL disaster preparedness sought

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday filed a Senate resolution seeking an inquiry into the preparedness of the Philippine government against natural disasters similar to the 8.9-magnitude earthquake which recently hit Japan. Senate Resolution 426 seeks to direct the Senate committees on environment and natural resources and climate change to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the status and preparedness of the government's disaster risk reduction and management plans. Zubiri, who chairs the Senate environment panel, said he wants to determine the status and implementation of the country's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP). The development and implementation of the NDRRMP is contained in Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act enacted in 2010. "Almost a year after the enactment of RA 10121 and with the recent natural calamities happening in the Asian region and nearby countries, it is very timely for Congress and our people to be informed of the status and implementation of the country’s NDRRMP," Zubiri said in the resolution. Less talk, more action Senators Edgardo Angara and Loren Legarda likewise said on Monday that the Philippines is not nearly as prepared as Japan when it comes to dealing with disasters. Angara, who chairs the Senate committee on science and technology, said there is a need to establish preventive measures against disasters instead of waiting for the next natural disaster to hit. "We are fortunate to have not been severely affected by this catastrophe which has crippled Japan, despite all their measures to safeguard the people and the infrastructure. But what if we are not so lucky next time? The Philippines is not nearly as prepared," Angara said in a statement. In a separate interview on Monday, Legarda, who chairs the climate change committee, said that she will also be seeking an inquiry into the disaster preparedness of the country. Legarda said she will specifically look into the vulnerability of the infrastructures in the Philippines, especially that of schools and hospitals, if and when a disaster hits the country. She noted, however, that at least there was an improvement in the awareness of the Filipino public regarding natural disasters. "Malaki ang improvement sa awareness compared sa 10 years ago (There was big improvement in awareness compared to 10 years ago)," she said. But Legarda said that there is a need to "translate" this awareness into action. "The time for talk is over, action is important," she said. She explained that there is a need to improve the country's early warning systems, which she said doesn't have to be technologically advanced. She said that the use of bells and even red flags are effective ways to warn the public of certain disasters. She likewise said that an information campaign on what a tsunami is and what its traits are will help the public a lot. Citing 2004 data from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Legarda said that a mere 7.4-magnitude earthquake will damage 38 percent of residential buildings in Metro Manila and kill at least 33,500 persons while another 18,000 may die from possible fires. — RSJ, GMA News