Citing the 2019 Global Climate Risk Index wherein the Philippines ranked number five among countries with the highest weather-related losses amounting to $2.932 billion, Senator Francis Tolentino wants local government units to hold calamity drills.
“The State must exert all efforts to address against calamities, both natural and man-made, to save not only lives of the citizens in disaster-stricken areas but that of the future generations,” said Tolentino.
With the eruption of Taal Volcano last Jan. 12, he cited the need to empower LGUs to prepare and respond to natural disasters.
This can be done by facilitating a more detailed coordination framework between LGUs, which includes holding joint calamity drills, among others.
Tolentino said the current framework did not cover comprehensive action plan for LGUs with regard to evacuation and post-recovery operations.
The plan, he said, should be at the heart of the country’s disaster response policy.
Tolentino, who recently filed Senate Bill 1272 that seeks to expand the country’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework, said his proposed measure intended to create an inter-local government unit response mechanism.
This includes the identification and creation of permanent evacuation centers, safe refuge zones, evacuation routes and assembly points.
It also seeks to provide for evacuation transport and accommodation of persons and animals.
“Being the first responder, our LGUs must be fully equipped not just with proper training, but also a comprehensive plan that they will use in case of emergency cases like the sudden eruption of Taal Volcano which caught everyone by surprise,” said Tolentino.
The bill also gives LGUs the power to occupy or use private or commercial buildings as evacuation centers or safe zones, subject to compensation by the LGU or the national government in case of the former’s inability to pay.