Disaster Response Hubs Gain Strong Support from Lawmakers
Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has voiced firm support for expanding disaster response hubs nationwide. He emphasized the urgent need for a law to institutionalize the country’s disaster resilience efforts to ensure sustained preparedness.
Romualdez, in a recent statement, highlighted the House of Representatives’ backing of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s initiative to enhance disaster response infrastructure. This move follows the President’s inspection of the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City last Friday, where relief preparations were underway ahead of Tropical Storm Crising.
“We fully support the President’s proactive move to expand the country’s disaster response infrastructure,” Romualdez declared. He added, “But to ensure consistency, efficiency, and sustainability, we must legislate and institutionalize resilience and readiness into our national development strategy.”
Impact of Tropical Storm Crising and Ongoing Challenges
Although Tropical Storm Crising exited the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday morning, persistent rains continue to affect parts of Luzon, especially Metro Manila, due to the southwest monsoon or habagat. As of Monday, five fatalities have been confirmed, with seven others still missing, attributed to the combined effects of Crising and the monsoon.
Coming from Leyte, a region severely impacted by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, Romualdez underscored that disaster prevention and response must be embedded into the country’s systems. “Calamities do not follow a schedule. Our response mechanisms shouldn’t depend solely on executive discretion or seasonal budget availability,” he pointed out.
DSWD Efforts Praised but Legal Framework Needed
While acknowledging the commendable efforts of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in assisting those affected by Crising and the monsoon, Romualdez stressed the importance of a legal mandate to sustain and improve disaster resilience.
He noted, “These are impressive figures, but we must ensure that this level of preparedness is not only maintained but improved through legal mandates.” This comment refers to DSWD’s deployment of P2.9 billion in standby funds, along with the prepositioning of 3 million food packs, over 28,000 boxes of ready-to-eat meals, and nearly 335,000 non-food items.
House Bill Proposes Dedicated Disaster Agency
Romualdez, together with other lawmakers, filed House Bill No. 13 in 2022. This bill proposes the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience tasked with organizing, leading, and managing national efforts to reduce disaster risks. It would also oversee preparedness, swift response, and post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation.
“We should not just react—we should be ready. Our laws must match the scale of risk that climate change, earthquakes, and other disasters now pose to our country,” Romualdez stressed. He added, “From the barangay to the national government, disaster response must be swift, smart, and seamless. Let us give our frontliners and responders the legal tools and resources they need to protect lives.”
Local leaders and sources agree that institutionalizing disaster resilience through legislation will provide the consistency and resources necessary to safeguard communities across the Philippines.
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