FILE PHOTO: Volunteers for disaster response teams in Cebu City prepare their rescue equipment on Wednesday as Typhoon “Odette” moves toward the Visayas. —NESTLE SEMILLA
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday raised the need to review the standard operating procedures (SOPs) during disasters to create a uniform and coordinated approach, Malacañang said.
The Cabinet discussed the idea Friday in light of the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck Northern Luzon on July 27.
“I think we have to review our SOPs when there’s a warning. So what do we do immediately when the alert is given to us? How do we preposition the things that we will need?” Marcos said in a Cabinet meeting, as quoted by Malacañang.
Marcos also proposed prepositioning satellite phones, generators, and water, among others, once an alert is raised.
“As we know, the very first thing that we have to deal with is really communication, to find out what’s going on where, and then doon na tayo makapag-assess, saan natin uunahin,” he said.
(In this way, we can determine which ones to prioritize.)
“Ang experience ko, the first thing you have to do is communicate with the local government official,” he added.
During the meeting, the President also discussed using airlift assets for disaster response, according to Malacañang.
“[Dapat nandyan ‘yung] mga tropa natin na gagamitin natin na makakapasok to clear,” he said.
(We should have our team there to [have clearing operations.])
The chief executive said engineers who can help clear temporary structures are needed.
In his first State of the Nation Address, Marcos said he wanted to revive the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and National Service Training Program to train Filipino students in disaster preparedness for volunteer work.
Marcos also visited Abra province on July 28, pointing out the need to procure more water purifying systems to address water supply problems during disasters.