PH needs to work double time on disaster response efforts

Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said the Philippines should work double time on disaster response efforts. Photo from Civil Defense PH’s Facebook page.

MANILA – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said the country must work double time to further enhance disaster response capabilities despite the improvements it has implemented.

“We have made some gains but we should not stop because the typhoons are also stronger. We should check if we have enough systems in place. If not, we must continuously improve,” OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said in a statement Thursday night.

He added that these measures are needed considering that global disasters are expected to worsen in the coming years.

“I wish it weren’t true but it is a science-based prediction,” Nepomuceno said, referring to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction’s projection that disasters will increase by 40 percent by 2030.

“So we must give this primary importance and a sense of urgency. We must do what we can before it gets too late,” he added.

Underscoring the importance of collaboration and cooperation during disasters, Nepomuceno added that the Philippines is eager to share its knowledge and experiences in disaster management with other countries.

“Not a single country in the world can face disasters alone. Even a rich country like Turkey needed assistance in dealing with a major disaster,” he said, referring to the devastating 2023 earthquake that resulted in more than 50,000 deaths and countless injuries.

READ: Disaster risk reduction must be included in school curriculum

Nepomuceno also cited the significance of investing in disaster mitigation to reduce the impact of future calamities.

“We should not regret our investments in disaster resilience. These investments will save our lives, ” he added.

The Philippines hosted for the first time the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference in Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) this week, gathering governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, science, academe, and stakeholder groups to strengthen cooperation on disaster resilience and risk reduction in the Asia-Pacific region.

READ: Marcos calls for increased disaster risk reduction investments 

About 4,000 delegates from 70 countries gathered in Manila to put urgency on strengthening regional efforts to ensure a safer future for all. (PNA)