The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Wednesday expressed full support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s renewed push for enhanced disaster preparedness, following his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, when he underscored the growing threats posed by climate change.
In his address, President Marcos painted a stark picture of the country’s current vulnerability, citing the increasing frequency and intensity of natural hazards. He noted that four storms were already recorded in July and at least 12 more are expected before the year ends.
With 24 active volcanoes—four of them currently showing signs of unrest—the President underscored that “we cannot afford to stop” in our preparations.
“We are steadfast in our preparations and remain vigilant against the threat of disasters and calamities, especially amid the new normal and the changing climate that brings about more extreme weather conditions,” the President declared in Filipino.
In response, the OCD said it is doubling down on efforts to integrate disaster readiness into daily governance. The agency is ramping up coordination with both national and local units, with earthquake drills and tropical cyclone preparedness becoming standard practice across communities.
The President also announced plans to modernize evacuation infrastructure. To reduce reliance on schools as temporary shelters, the government is accelerating the construction of dedicated evacuation centers. The OCD is actively collaborating with relevant agencies to fast-track this initiative.
“Under the guidance of the President and the Department of National Defense, OCD will continue leading the charge toward a disaster-resilient Philippines – one that anticipates threats and responds with unity, strength, and preparedness. Embodying the spirit of damayan at pagkakaisa sa gitna ng sakuna,” the agency said.
