Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has commended the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for its proactive stance on disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response. Speaking from Manila, Nepomuceno emphasized the necessity of these measures given the Philippines’ location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, which makes it highly susceptible to natural disasters.
Nepomuceno praised the recent enactment of the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act by President Marcos, which he described as a crucial step forward in protecting Filipinos, especially those living in areas at high risk of disasters. The legislation requires the establishment of fully equipped evacuation centers across all cities and municipalities in the country.
He also acknowledged the administration’s commitment to effective disaster management, applauding the efforts of frontline agencies and disaster risk management teams. Nepomuceno stressed the importance of a comprehensive government approach to tackle disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, rehabilitation, and recovery.
Recent data from the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey indicated a ‘very good’ rating for the Marcos administration’s support for disaster victims, with a net satisfaction rating of 65 percent in December 2024, up from 62 percent in September of the same year. Nepomuceno noted that these results reflect a growing public awareness of the government’s efforts to improve disaster response and promote preparedness and management.
He highlighted the collaborative work of various government departments, including social welfare, interior, environment, science and technology, and health, as well as the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Coast Guard, all operating under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, led by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
Nepomuceno expressed that the positive survey results inspire the government to aim for even higher standards in disaster management. He emphasized that the assistance provided goes beyond immediate relief, focusing also on long-term recovery and resilience-building to help communities not only recover but also improve their conditions post-disaster.