Isko Moreno backs creation of Department of Disaster Resilience

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno receives plaques from Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas Jr. recognizing the aid that Manila gave Surigao del Norte in the wake of Typhoon Odette in 2021. (Photo from the Facebook page of Isko Moreno)

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Philippines — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso supports the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) as it would allow the government to have a more coordinated disaster preparedness and response.

“Yes, why not? If there’s a need to strengthen our capabilities ahead of time, why not? I will support it,” Moreno, who is running for president as the Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer.

Reporters asked him about the issue in an ambush interview after his courtesy to call here on Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas Jr.

“In my view, it’s really needed because we all know that every year we have storms coming. The only question is when. Where will it hit? But it’s a certainty because of the geographical location of our country. Historically, there’s always a storm,” Moreno added, speaking now in a mix of Filipino and English.

The Philippines also has earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, he pointed out.

“So, these are the things that least seem to call for having such a department. So all it has to do is to prepare, prepare, and prepare. Daig ng maagap ang masipag,” Moreno told reporters.

The last sentence is a Filipino saying that roughly translates to: “A prepared person beats an industrious one.”

The House of Representatives already approved DDR bill way back in September 2020, which was among President Rodrigo Duterte’s priority measures.

Under the bill, DDR will be the primary agency “responsible, accountable, and liable for leading, managing, and organizing national efforts to prevent and reduce disaster risks; prepare for and respond to disasters; and recover, rehabilitate and build forward better after the destruction.”

The Senate has yet to act on the bill.

Disaster resilience

The 47-year-old presidential candidate said that, if he should win, his administration would make disaster-resilient mass housing projects, including evacuation centers, a priority.

Provinces frequently hit by storms, such as Samar and Leyte in the Visayas, he noted, were among the areas that would need such projects, he said.

“I think we must build facilities to safeguard every life that we can save ahead of the disaster. So, acquiring more technology and building more facilities or more permanent ones like the ones were are building in Manila —  Tondominium 1, Tondominium 2, Binondominium 1 — so in-city vertical housing [is what we need],” Moreno pointed out.

“That means [a building made of] stone — high rise, durable. Whatever the storm, every family that lives there would be safe. And we should also secure those living in danger zones. You can’t blame our countrymen who keep putting up their houses in those areas because of poverty — even if they know the risks. So, I think it’s high time to build such a facility,” he explained.

Last December 2021, Surigao del Norte was one of the provinces in the Caraga Region severely affected by Typhoon Odette.

The Caraga Region is composed of five provinces — Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands. It has six cities: Butuan (which is the regional center), Cabadbaran, Surigao, Tandag, Bislig, and Bayugan. It also has 67 municipalities and 1,311 barangays.

Moreno said he was hopeful that Surigao del Norte and other provinces in the south would eventually be spared from powerful typhoons.

And, in case the need arises, the national government under his administration would be ready to give a helping hand.

Happy over recovery

During his courtesy call, Moreno thanked Mayor Matugas for the recognition bestowed on Manila and the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) for their relief efforts days after Odette struck Surigao del Norte.

The Manila mayor said he was happy to learn that Surigao City had been gradually recovering from the effects of the powerful typhoon.

“Right from the airport, through our motorcade, even though it was still early, the people gave us a very warm reception,” Moreno said.

Manila was among the local governments that sent relief operation teams to evacuation sites in Surigao del Norte, specifically those in Surigao City, the Municipality of Sison, and the Barangay Socorro.

Through a Philippine Navy ship, Manila also sent donated goods, including food packs, bottled water, vitamins, and even tents.

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