“The DDR becomes more urgent because it will focus itself on strategizing and meeting the problems of disaster-prone areas of the Philippines”
The recent magnitude-7 earthquake that hit Northern Luzon with epicenter in the town of Tayum in Abra emphasizes once again the urgency of the passage of the DDR (Department of Disaster Resilience) by the Senate.
This bill has been pending for so long in the Senate, but despite the calamities and disasters hitting the Philippines, a disaster-prone country, the Senate did not enact it in the 18th Congress.
I have been writing columns urging the creation of this department because I know that in a country like the Philippines, disaster and calamities can hit anytime, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, floods, and storm surges like that of typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban years ago, Santa Banana.
President Marcos realizes the need for such a body that will serve to mitigate disaster and calamities but only an “agency” under the Office of the President because he said a “department” would cost a lot of money.
Santa Banana, while President Marcos and Senate President Migz Zubiri have the last say whether it will be a department or just an agency under the office of the President, in my opinion, since disasters and calamities can hit the Philippines at any time, I believe a department is necessary.
I believe, however, that a separate department is more practical and urgently needed because it will have its own budget.
A DDR with its own budget and allocation would be able to have the funds for the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the disaster affected areas of the country.
Technical staff will consist of experts and it will take over the functions of the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council). A mere agency will not answer the need of the country to effectively mitigate disasters and calamities.
The DDR becomes more urgent because it will focus itself on strategizing and meeting the problems of disaster-prone areas of the Philippines, especially the effects of disasters and calamities like the loss of lives, loss of agriculture, loss of livelihood and infrastructure and to build permanent evacuation centers where they are needed.
It must be noted that while we have the NDRRMC, it is only an ad hoc body, under the Civil Defense Bureau of the Department of National Defense.
What we need, my gulay, is a permanent DDR because disasters and calamities affect everybody.
In the case of earthquakes, we must not forget that the Philippines is in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region around much of the rim of the Pacific Ocean where many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur.
Earthquakes in the Philippines can happen anytime and anywhere without warning.
As to President Marcos saying a department will cost money, I think it becomes immaterial when we count all the effects of disasters and calamities like devastation of agriculture and infrastructure, loss of livelihood , and especially in the loss of lives.
There is now a move in the Senate by Senator Bong Go to enact the DDR bill.
I think this must be given priority by President Marcos.
I emphasize once again the need for a DDR in the wake of the recent earthquake in Abra, that affected almost all of Northern Luzon.
We see the disastrous effects of the earthquake to infrastructure, to heritage buildings and churches and ultimately to tourism.
I know quite well that Vigan is an important tourist destination because of its historical and heritage buildings and houses.
I myself and my family have been there many times because we enjoy seeing the churches, heritage homes and sites.
Once again, I believe the Senate should now enact the long pending DDR bill and not wait for President Marcos to put up an agency as he said, considering the fact that our country is prone to so many disasters and calamities, and with climate change, these disasters and calamities will happen more frequently, my gulay.
There is really a need for such a department, instead of just an agency under the Office of the President.
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It is very alarming to know that monkeypox is now in the Philippines. The first case of monkeypox in our country was reported last Friday by the DOH.
To answer the question how dangerous it is, according to the WHO (World Health Organization), monkeypox is a virus that typically causes mild symptoms including fever, body aches and pus-filled skin lesions. Recovery time is within two to four weeks.
The WHO also said that anyone can spread the virus primarily via intimate skin-to-skin contact, usually with someone who has an active rash, as well as via contact with contaminated clothes or bedding.
Like with COVID-19, we must protect ourselves by avoiding close personal contact with someone who has an illness presenting with a distinctive rash, or is unwell according to the WHO.
I pray that monkeypox will not spread in the country. It might not be as well known as COVID-19, but in my opinion, it is very alarming.
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President Marcos had all his legal team headed by former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to decide what measure to take following the decision of the ICC (International Criminal Court) to prove the alleged crimes against humanity committed by the former President Rodrigo Duterte in his war against illegal drugs.
It is interesting to note that the legal team of President Marcos also has Duterte’s former spokesman Harry Roque because of his expertise on international law.
Inside reports tell me, however, my gulay, that the legal team may decide against the return of the Philippines to the fold of the ICC .
The legal team is most likely to deny the alleged investigation of the crimes against humanity committed by Duterte, considering the fact that the judicial system of the Philippines is working.
In my opinion, it’s just as well.