Lapid files bill to establish National Emergency Stockpile

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Lito Lapid on Saturday filed a measure to put up the National Emergency Stockpile which will lead the system for stockpiling of basic needs during natural disasters.

In a statement, Lapid said the National Emergency Stockpile would be the “central repository and supply reserve of food items, medicines, vaccines, tents, beds, blankets and other emergency-related articles, facilities and equipment.”

Lapid filed the bill after seeing the shortage of essential materials such as face masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus disease pandemic.

“Worse, five months into this public health emergency, shortages of PPE continue to cripple our healthcare workers, exacerbating the risk of exposure to the disease,” the senator said.

The senator said his bill would also allow the Philippines to avoid relying on donations from other countries during a crisis.

/atm