The head of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, is advocating for changes to the legislation that established the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). He believes that amending the law to allow the formation of an executive committee would streamline decision-making processes, which currently require the full council’s involvement. The NDRRMC includes 41 government agencies and five private sector representatives, making swift action challenging during emergencies.
Nepomuceno emphasized the urgency of these amendments, stating that quicker responses could significantly enhance disaster management. In addition to legal changes, he is pushing for an upgrade to the Philippines’ early warning systems. Collaborating with the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the OCD aims to develop a more innovative and thorough warning system.
Highlighting the importance of early warnings, Nepomuceno pointed to Thailand’s effective nationwide system, which uses over 600 towers equipped with sirens and a public address system that provides regular updates to the public. He stressed that such systems are crucial for enabling timely actions that can save lives, protect livelihoods, and safeguard properties.
Furthermore, the OCD plans to launch an educational campaign focused on disaster resilience, targeting youth, local government units (LGUs), and disaster responders. Nepomuceno underscored the need for LGUs to take more responsibility and become self-sufficient, particularly in emergency situations. He noted that some LGUs still rely heavily on national government support, which can delay critical responses. He suggested that LGUs should invest in essential equipment like rubber boats for rescue operations to enhance their local disaster response capabilities.