Need for DDR has become imperative

President Marcos Jr. did the right thing by rejecting calls for the resignation of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla following his son Juanito Jose Diaz Remulla III’s arrest on the charge of drug possession of kush or high-grade marijuana imported from the United States worth P1 million.

Under the law on illegal drugs, the possession of a prohibited drug like the one the 38-year old son of Sec. Remulla had is a non-bailable offense.

At this point, following the arrest of Sec. Remulla’s son, I can only commiserate with the family and share their grief and pain because of the devastation wrought by the case.

Especially so, with the dear and close friend of my wife, Ditas Remulla, who is now 89 years old and the matriarchal head of the family.

I also commiserate with Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla, a very good friend. Just as the Justice Secretary said, “I see this as a test to our family, to myself and in many ways a test to our country on how we handle a sensitive matter like this. I’m the head of the justice department and I will let justice take its course.”

***

When I read a report that the Philippines is now considered the country most prone to disasters and calamities, I was not surprised.

I am now 95 years old and I have seen and gone through all kinds of disasters and calamities that the country has gone through–super typhoons, cyclones, floods and storm surges, that have killed thousands of people and devastated infrastructure and agriculture, strong earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that destroyed centuries-old churches and historical structures, and killing people by the hundreds and thousands, and devastated agriculture and livelihood.

I cannot remember when, but typhoon “Yoling” which had its eye in Metro Manila, was so powerful that from my house along EDSA at Philamlife Homes, I saw the house of the squatters across the highway from us fly and be wiped out.

And, of course, how can people forget “Ondoy” which poured into Metro Manila the equivalent of rains for 30 days that soon enough flooded the metropolis.

Lately was super typhoon “Karding”which could have devastated Metro Manila were it not for the Sierra Madre Mountains that protected the metropolis from many more calamities and disasters to which the country is prone to.

Yes, we have an ad hoc government agency–the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), an agency that has since devolved in municipalities, cities and regions, that are put into action whenever there is a disaster or calamity.

Strangely, all through these years and decades, there has never been a President who thought of creating a department, knowing full well how the country is prone to disasters and calamities.

Fortunately, during the Last Congress the House of Representatives passed a bill creating the Department of Disaster Resilience or DDR which has since long been pending at the Senate.

But, sad to say, only Senator Bong Go seems to realize the urgency and critical need for such a department.

Santa Banana, it is sad to note that it seems that only he knows the imperative need and urgency for such a department to take charge of “rescue, relief and rehabilitation” in the aftermath of disasters and calamities.

Bong Go, who realizes the imperative need for such a DDR keeps on pushing for the creation of such a department that focuses and strategizes solely on the mitigation in the aftermath of a disaster and calamity, knowing fully well that in the aftermath of a disaster or calamity people affected by the thousands are in dire need of immediate relief and continue to rely on donations from private sectors and even from abroad.

There is a need for a department with its own budget for relief, my gulay!

Such a department can even strategize the need for building evacuation centers with the necessary amenities and facilities so we no longer have to take over school buildings, gyms and basketball courts and a department that focuses on areas which are prone to landslides and mudslides.

Such a DDR is imperative and critically needed, Santa Banana.

And yet, President Marcos Jr. wants instead an agency under the Office of the President, not a desperately-needed department, because, he says, a DDR would cost money.

Santa Banana, since when did a President measure the need for a department with money.

It is precisely for this reason why I admire and commend Senator Bong Go for continually pushing for the enactment of a DDR; he is involved in helping fire victims, flood victims, and other victims of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions.

Sen. Go knows full well, my gulay, the plight of the people who become victims of such disasters and calamities.

For the nth time, such a DDR should be enacted.

We need it like yesterday and especially so with the report that the Philippines is now considered the most prone to disasters and calamities.

Mister President, for the sake of millions of our countrymen who have become victims of disasters and calamities, please, please prioritize and declare the urgency of the long pending bill at the Senate to be enacted into law.

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The problem of whether or not to outlaw POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) has become a choice of either outlawing the POGOs entirely or partially keeping those that have paid their taxes, permits to operate and other government obligations.

By doing so, the government will be losing P200 billion revenue and the reported “social cost” of POGO workers abandoning houses and condominium units that they have rented and possible loss of work for Filipinos attached to the POGOs.

As far as I am concerned, there is no choice at all, with gangs from Mainland China like the Triad and Bamboo, coming to the Philippines and making the country their playground to kidnap their fellow Chinese for ransom and even killing them.

BBM should use his political will and outlaw once and for all the POGOs.

There is really no choice for him, considering that soon enough the country will be opening its doors to tourism

If the country must attract foreign investors, BBM must realize that peace and order is first and foremost to foreign investors.

Aside from this, reports have it that China has blacklisted the Philippines as a tourist destination for mainland Chinese following crime and criminality involving POGO Chinese workers.

Mister President, it’s time you show some teeth and ban once and for all all POGOs in the country.

***

If President Marcos Jr. still keeps himself as the acting secretary of the Department of Agriculture, he must have some reasons for doing so.

For one thing, first and foremost, food security has become the top concern of the country, coupled with it is inflation which has made prices of basic commodities exorbitant.

My gulay, there are continued reports that vegetables and other agricultural products are being smuggled into the country. Onions, for instance, are also being smuggled. These and other concerns continue to challenge the President way beyond his first 100 days in office.

While I can understand the fact that BBM continues to hold on to the Department of Agriculture as secretary, what bothers me is his hesitancy in appointing a permanent Department of health secretary, knowing full well that COVID-19 is still very much with us.

While there are some experts now saying that “endemic” or the end of pandemic may soon end the health crisis with COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region already declining, there also reports that COVID-19 cases are increasing in some nine provinces. This means that the Philippines is not free of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This simply means that the health crisis must be attended to by a permanent DOH Secretary.

Officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire seems to be capable. For this reason, why doesn’t BBM just make her DOH Secretary. If not, there are some health experts who have shown themselves capable of handling and managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mister President, your hesitancy in naming a permanent member of the Cabinet has become a negative thing in your presidency.

Considering the fact that we are now beyond the first 100 days of the presidency, personally, I believe it remains an acid test and a challenge for your political will.